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AAU Sullivan Award Press Releases Olympic
Gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling ORLANDO, FL (April 16, 2001) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) today announced that Rulon Gardner has won the 71st Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, Sponsored by LamisilAT. The Olympic Gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling will be honored tonight during a ceremony in New York City. "Rulon Gardner exemplifies all of the qualities that the AAU Sullivan Award represents," said Bobby Dodd, AAU President. "He defied the odds and brought home the Olympic gold by defeating the great Russian wrestler, Aleksandr Karelin, something no man has done in 13 years. We know he will be as successful at the 2004 Olympic Games or wherever the future leads him." Rulon Gardner, University of Nebraska graduate and Greco-Roman wrestler in the 130-kg (286 lb.) division, won the gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games by defeating previously unbeaten Aleksandr Karelin of Russia. He won five matches on the way to Olympic Gold and led the U.S. Greco-Roman team to a third place finish in medal count – highest ever in U.S. wrestling history. Some other achievements Rulon garnered this past year were, 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Champion, 2000 U.S. Nationals Champion, 2000 Pan-American Championship Champion, won gold at the 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International and Granma Cup, and compiled a 24-2 record. He was selected by his peers at the Olympics to carry the American flag during the Closing Ceremonies in Sydney. "It is an honor for me to have been selected as this year’s recipient of the AAU Sullivan Award Sponsored by LamisilAT," said Rulon Gardner. "I was up against a quality group of individuals and fellow Olympic gold medalists and to be recognized as the top U.S. amateur athlete is a humbling experience. I feel very blessed to have had such wonderful people around me as well as the support of my country when the odds were against me." "The Lamisil brand team congratulates Rulon on his tremendous accomplishments during the past year. He is an inspiration to all young athletes to achieve their goals " said MJ Weldon, Marketing Director for LamisilAT at Novartis Consumer Health. "We want to recognize and congratulate all of the finalists for their athletic achievements. The LamisilAT team is honored to be affiliated with such remarkable men and women on behalf of the AAU Sullivan Award." The AAU Sullivan Award recognizes athletes who have achieved athletic excellence, exhibit leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the AAU, James E. Sullivan. Past winners include last year’s recipients Kelly and Coco Miller, Carl Lewis (1981), William "Bill" Bradley (1965), Greg Louganis (1984), Peyton Manning (1997), and Bonnie Blair (1992). Voting for the 2000 AAU James E. Sullivan Award Sponsored by LamisilAT was completed by the AAU Board of Directors, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors, the AAU Sullivan Award Committee and members of the sports media. The accounting firm, Accurate Business Services of Marietta, GA, officially tabulated the ballots. This year’s award recipient received a bronze replica of the original Sullivan trophy mounted on a black pedestal, depicting a runner carrying a laurel branch. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs for all ages. Its philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 500,000 participants and over 50,000 volunteers. Divided into 58 distinct associations, the AAU sanctions more than 32 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 10,000 local events across the United States annually. The AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award is sponsored by LamisilAT, the best way to cure athlete’s foot. LamisilAT is manufactured and marketed by Novartis Consumer Health, which is headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, and is a leading consumer pharmaceuticals and food company. The Division includes Gerber Products Company, Novartis OTC (over-the counter medicines), Health and Functional Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Focusing on consumer needs and preferences, each NCH Sector provides well-known, high-quality products to enhance overall health and well-being for millions of American consumers each day. Contact: Melissa Wilson
Amy Doner Schachtel
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