Hall of Fame releases The Gold Standard, a book on Olympic wrestling champions

STILLWATER, Okla.-- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame will celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games and the Olympic movement with an exciting new book. The book, titled "The Gold Standard," presents the history of the 47 wrestling Olympic champions from the United States who have won 50 gold medals from 1904 to 2008.


In an effort to present the Olympic Gold Heritage, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will have an exhibit at the this weekend's Olympic Trials in Iowa City, Iowa. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has partnered with USA Wrestling to produce a booklet that can be accessed digitally on the USA Wrestling and National Wrestling Hall of Fame websites in coming weeks.


"At some point in the lives of each of these 47 gold medalists, the joy of competing fueled their passion for wrestling," said Lee Roy Smith, executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. "We pay tribute to these extraordinary individuals and to our national governing body, USA Wrestling, for helping pave the way to wrestling's greatest glory."


This full color booklet features narrative from the Olympic Games, an honor roll of Olympic wrestling champions with their biographies, Olympic symbols and traditions, wrestling champions from the ancient Olympic Games, and a trivia challenge.


"I am a firm belieiver in high standards," said Dan Gable, 1972 Olympic champion. "An Olympic gold medal is the highest standard in our sport."


The booklets can be purchased online atnwhof.org or by contacting the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at (405) 377-5243. They call also be purchased during Fan Fest between sessions at the Olympic Trials in Iowa City.