Rulon Gardner

Olympic Channel Releases Trailer for "Rulon Gardner Won't Die"

By United World Wrestling Press

The Olympic Channel has released the trailer for its upcoming documentary on 2000 Olympic gold medalist wrestlers Rulon GARDNER (USA). The film, "Rulon Gardner Won't Die" is set to be released on Wednesday, June 3rd.

From the Olympic Channel press release about the release of the trailer:

MADRID – 13 May 2020  At the Olympic Games Sydney 2000, Greco-Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner beat the world’s most dominant wrestler and three-time reigning Olympic champion, Aleksandr Karelin of Russia, propelling him to stardom. But what came after the ‘miracle on the mat’ was even more unpredictable. Gardner’s incredible story is featured in the upcoming Olympic Channel feature-length documentary, Rulon Gardner Won’t Die, which premieres worldwide on Wednesday, 3 June at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

Rulon Gardner Won’t Die, part of the Five Rings Films collection, tells the inspiring story of Rulon Gardner, the youngest of nine children from a Wyoming farming family, who twenty years ago shocked the world at the Olympic Games in Sydney and became an American icon overnight. Instant fame was then followed by tragedy and adversity including near-death experiences, crushing weight gain and bankruptcy. Now, he’s returned to wrestling as a high school coach and is trying to make sense of his legacy – both as an American icon and a cautionary tale for what can come after a miracle.

“This film is an honest look at not only the success I have achieved, but at the hardships that preceded and have followed my Olympic experience,” said Gardner. “I hope that people watching at home will find their own sources of motivation and determination - especially during tough and unpredictable times like we are going through now - and remember that when you get knocked down, you can always get up and persevere.”

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#development

UWW launches coaches and mentorship program

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (June 29) — United World Wrestling has signed an agreement with the Hungarian Wrestling Federation for a mentorship program in addition to the coaches program delivered by the University of Hungary.

This is the first-ever coaches and mentorship program taking place from 8 April to 12 June in Budapest, Hungary.

The application for the Olympic Solidarity Coaches Scholarship Programme must be submitted through their respective National Olympic Committee and send a copy to: development@uww.org.

Application deadline: February 1, 2026
University of Hungary - Course dates: April 8 to May 28, 2026
KIMBA – HUN NF - Mentorship programme: May 29 to June 12, 2026
English proficiency is mandatory for applicants

For more details, coaches and NFs are requested to contact: development@uww.org.