| Rulon Gardner to auction accident snowmobile on EBay with portion of proceeds to benefit American In |
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By Danielle Marquis Marquis Athletes
09/01/2005
Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold and Bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, will auction the actual snowmobile he was on in his near fatal accident in the Wyoming wilderness. The snowmobile, which has been refurbished, will be listed on EBay, beginning September 6, 2005 and ending September 12, 2005, at a starting price of $1. Rulon will personalize the snowmobile for the auction winner, personally deliver it and take the winner for a snowmobile ride.
Fifty percent of the auction proceeds will benefit Native American youth through scholarships provided by American Indian Services. In addition, Rulon's shoe sponsor, Asics, will donate shoes and Rulon's publisher, Avalon Publishing Group, will donate his new book "Never Stop Pushing" to AIS for the annual Christmas Wrap, which provides Christmas gifts to children in various Native American communities. American Indian Services is a non-profit organization that assists Native Americans in pursuing education beyond high school. 100% of every dollar donated for scholarships goes toward the scholarship program. The young people who receive these scholarships must commit to investing their own money in matching the funds they receive.
On Valentine's Day 2002, Rulon Gardner went for a snowmobile ride with friends, and ended up lost in the Wyoming wilderness, sopping wet and alone to survive the night in sub-zero temperatures. When he was found, doctors thought they would need to amputate both of his severely frostbitten feet, and assured him he would never wrestle again. Two years later, after the amputation of only one toe, he came back to win Bronze in Athens.
At the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, Rulon, the determined Wyoming farm boy, defeated the greatest Olympic wrestler of all time in "The Miracle on the Mat" and rose to fame as one of the greatest sports stories of all time.
Rulon tells his life story in his first book, "Never Stop Pushing," which will be released September 6, 2005 by Avalon Publishing Group, and was co-written with Bob Schaller. Currently, Rulon Gardner gives motivational speeches throughout the country.
For additional information about Rulon Gardner please visit www.rulongardner.com or contact Danielle Marquis with Marquis Athletes at (303)-674-1290 or DanielleMarquis@marquisathletes.com.
For additional information about "Never Stop Pushing," please contact Wendie Carr, Publicity Manager at Avalon Publishing Group at (646)-375-1067 or wendie.carr@avalonpub.com
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