Rick Tucci, Tom Clark selected as referees for 2008 Olympics

Rick Tucci earns his living as a middle-school physical education teacher.

Tom Clark serves as Vice President for a company who makes fruit baskets that resemble flower arrangements.

They also happen to be two of the top international wrestling officials on the planet.

You can't make a living as a referee at the Olympic and World level in wrestling, but the rewards are more than worth it for guys like Tucci and Clark.

Both men were selected as wrestling referees for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

It will mark the sixth Olympic Games that Tucci, 63, from Pembroke Pines, Fla., has officiated. Tucci has served as a referee at the World Championships in every year it has been held since 1978.

"I feel honored and proud to have this opportunity again to be a referee at the Olympics," said Tucci, President of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association. "The first Olympics I did in Los Angeles were special, but every one was an honor to work. I've enjoyed them all."

Clark, 49, from Noblesville, Ind., will work his first Olympic Games. He has worked 15 World Championships at the Senior level. He has been an official for 25 years. In 1998, he was named USA Wrestling Official of the Year.

"This is an unbelievable honor - I am both humbled and thrilled to be selected to referee the Olympic Games in Beijing," said Clark, Vice President of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association. "I am honored to represent my country and USA Wrestling at the Games."

FILA, the international governing body for wrestling, selected a group of 60 officials from 35 countries to referee at the 2008 Olympics. Tucci and Clark were the only Americans selected.

Tucci has worked Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984, in Seoul, South Korea in 1988, in Atlanta in 1996, in Sydney, Australia in 2000, and in Athens, Greece in 2004. He also was selected to work the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but did not participate due to the U.S. boycott.

Tucci won the FILA Gold Whistle as the top referee working the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Tucci, who started officiating internationally in 1975, has worked his share of big matches involving legendary wrestlers over the years.

Among the best freestyle wrestlers Tucci said he's had the opportunity to officiate are Bulgaria's Valentin Jordanov and Sergei Beloglazov of the former Soviet Union. His list of top American freestyle wrestlers includes Dave Schultz, Kenny Monday, Tom and Terry Brands, Kendall Cross and Kevin Jackson.

Among the top Greco-Roman wrestlers he's seen are competitors ranging from Russian legend Alexander Karelin to Olympic champion Momir Petkovic of the former Yugoslavia. Petkovic now serves as USA Wrestling's Assistant National Coach.

"I've seen some amazing athletes," Tucci said, "and I've been to some amazing places because of my involvement in the sport."

Tucci said he has no timetable for when his officiating career will end.

"I still enjoy doing it," he said. "I take great pride in giving fair evaluations. I feel I have a big responsibility to the athletes and I take it very seriously."

Clark said Tucci is among a group of officials who have impacted his career.

"I have had a great many mentors - fellow officials, coaches and athletes - who have helped me along the way," Clark said.