Rulon at McDonald's Photos    Is there anything more American than McDonald's?    Perhaps Rulon Gardner.    In a unique public appearance at noon on Friday, August 13, Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion Rulon Gardner (Cascade, Colo./Sunkist Kids) met the American contingent from McDonald's in their restaurant at the Main Press Center in downtown Athens, Greece.    McDonald's has brought its best crew of employees from around the world to work at the Athens Games. This group of staff members was selected from 35 countries, and represent the 1.5 million employees of the corporation. McDonalds is the world's leading foodservice retailer, with more than 30,000 stores.    Today, Gardner was a central focus of the store that has been located where all of the world's journalists work and eat.    The U.S. McDonald's employees were excited to meet Gardner, posing for pictures with him and seeking his autograph on their limited-edition red Olympic Champion Crew Spirit Hats.    Gardner even had a chance to wrestle around with Ronald McDonald, lifting him off the floor to the applause of the U.S. employees. The group of Americans were chanting USA, USA when posing with Gardner.    "It is cool to be in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympics," said Gardner. "It is cool being out here, and getting to meet Ronald McDonald."    He addressed the U.S. McDonald's employees and encouraged them to share their experiences back in their hometowns.    "Enjoy the Olympic spirit. Take it home. It is what is great about America," said Gardner.    Rulon was not the only U.S. Olympic wrestling star who was a dignitary at the appearance. Another featured guest was Jim Scherr, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee and a 1988 Olympian in freestyle wrestling. Scherr also served as USA Wrestling's Executive Director for a decade prior to joining the U.S. staff. Both Scherr and Gardner were college wrestling stars at the Univ. of Nebraska.    Also making an appearance there was swimming great Janet Evans.    McDonald's USA CEO Mike Roberts used the visit with Gardner and Evans to rally the troops and recognize their achievements within the corporation.    "I'd like you to know how proud we are of all of you," said Roberts. "You represent the best of McDonald's USA."    Gardner will be leaving his appearance at the Main Press Center to return to the Athlete Village and join his teammates at the Opening Ceremony. Gardner received the ultimate honor at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, when he was chosen by his peers to carry the U.S. flag at the Closing Ceremonies there.    Gardner won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, defeating three-time Olympic champion and previously unbeaten Alexander Kareline of Russia in the gold-medal match. He followed that with a gold medal at the 2001 World Championships, becoming the first U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win both an Olympic and a World title.     After getting lost in the frozen Wyoming mountains on a snowmobile trip in 2002, Gardner received severe frostbite and ultimately had a toe amputated. He recovered through difficult physical therapy and returned to competition within a year. He defeated 2002 World Champion Dremiel Byers at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis to make his second Olympic team.