Wrestler Rulon Gardner to Defend Gold in Athens Wyoming's Rulon Gardner stunned the world in 2000, upsetting perennial Greco-Roman wrestling champion Aleksandr Karelin of Russia for the Olympic gold medal. Then he nearly lost life and limb in a snowmobiling mishap. But he's back to defend his title. NPR's Howard Berkes reports.

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Wrestler Rulon Gardner to Defend Gold in Athens

August 8, 200412:00 AM ET

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Howard Berkes

Wrestler Rulon Gardner to Defend Gold in Athens

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Wyoming's Rulon Gardner stunned the world in 2000, upsetting perennial Greco-Roman wrestling champion Aleksandr Karelin of Russia for the Olympic gold medal. Then he nearly lost life and limb in a snowmobiling mishap. But he's back to defend his title. NPR's Howard Berkes reports.

Rulon Gardner celebrates after winning the gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Olympics. Corbis hide caption

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