Subscribe
Follow Us
United States President Donald Trump is set to award Dan Gable with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at an event this week, according to to a report from the Des Moines Register.
Gable, now 71 years of age, has been invited to the White House. President Trump sent out an official letter to Gable, welcoming the former wrestler and his guests:
“It will be my great privilege to welcome you and your guests to the White House to present you the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” the letter, signed by President Trump, says, via the Des Moines Register. “I look forward to seeing you soon.”
Jennifer Jacobs, a senior White House reporter for Bloomberg News, reported that President Donald Trump plans to announce that Gable will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a rally in Des Moines on Wednesday.
Gable was an accomplished wrestler in his day, winning three state championships for Waterloo West and two NCAA titles for Iowa State. Impressively, he posted a 181-1 record throughout his high school and collegiate careers. His only loss came in the 1970 NCAA Finals. He went on to win a gold medal in the 150-pound weight class at the 1972 Olympics, where he didn't allow a single point.
Gable also enjoyed a highly productive coaching career. In fact, he led Iowa's wrestling team to 21 straight Big Ten titles and 15 NCAA team championships between 1976 to 1997. As a result of his stellar career, he is now a member of several hall of fames (USA Wrestling's Hall of Fame, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame).
Gable coached 152 All-Americans, 46 national champs and 12 Olympians who combined to win eight Olympic medals — four gold, one silver and three bronze.
Congratulations are in order for Iowa wrestling LEGEND Dan Gable who is being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by @realDonaldTrump This is the highest civilian honor u can receive BIG NEWS & Gr8 honor for Coach Gable & our state
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) October 14, 2020
Join us in congratulating Gable for this honorary recognition. Without his efforts, wrestling may have been erased from Olympic competition.
