Rulon Gardner gives a talk at the Elsinore Theater on June 14.
Gold medal-winning wrestler Rulon Gardner will give a presentation sharing his Olympic journey at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Elsinore Theater.
The 2000 and 2004 Olympic medalist in Greco-Roman is one of the most accomplished American wrestlers in history.
Tickets are $10 for adults and free for students with a paying adult. Tickets are available in advance through ticketswest.com or at the Elsinore Theater box office.
“One adult can bring five kids,” said Brett Davis of the Davis Altman Group. “We would love to see as many seats filled as possible. We’re doing this for the community.”
Since his Olympic gold medal win Gardner survived a near-death experience after an accident on a snowmobile and a plane crash into a lake.
He also competed on The Biggest Loser in 2011.
Gardner put on a clinic at All Phase Wrestling in West Linn last weekend and ran practice for the club wrestling program Tuesday.
“He is a gregarious funny story telling guy,” Davis said. “It was a kick to talk to him. He has such an ability to connect, especially with kids.”
Originally he was going to give his talk in Salem on June 9, but he was invited to play in Larry The Cable Guy’s Git-R-Done Golf Classic in Nebraska so he flew there and will fly back to give his talk at the Elsinore.
“He is a big name,” Davis said. “He’s a big man as well. And his story, not only his story, but his storytelling ability is incredible.”
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler
Rulon Gardner demonstrates wrestling moves on his training partner Matt Lamb Monday at Cascade High School in 2002 Gardner spoke to students in an assembly prior to the clinic.