It’s going to be close.
‘s improbable quest to make the Olympic team in at age 40 may end on a scale instead of a wrestling mat. In order to qualify for the on Saturday in Iowa City, the former Olympic champion cannot weigh more than 264.5 pounds at Friday’s weigh-in.
“I’m not quite where I want to be,” Gardner acknowledged Wednesday, declining to divulge his current weight, “but I’m within striking distance.”
Gardner became part of Olympics lore at the 2000 Sydney Games, defeating for the gold medal and ending the Russian heavyweight’s 13-year unbeaten streak. Gardner retired after the 2004 Athens Games, where he won a bronze medal.
Since then he ballooned up to 474 pounds and went on the reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser” in 2011. He got his weight down to 289 pounds but then quit the show. Shortly after that he began training in hopes of making a comeback in wrestling, and has been working out at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs since October.
Gardner said he is motivated, focused, determined and excited about this weekend — if he can make weight.
“I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Gardner said. “For me, getting on that mat is key right now. Get in there, make weight and go kick (backsides).”
John Meyer, The Denver Post
