George GARDINER

George Gardiner was a freestyle wrestler at the 1924 Paris Olympics, who placed fourth in the freestyle lightweight class. Although born and baptised in Plean Parish, he lived in Denny. Two of his brothers were also professional wrestlers (William and Robert), as were at least two of their nephews, James and David. William, Robert and James were known as “the Wrestling Brothers of Denny.” David went to the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, but he was declared a professional because he had won money at Highland Games, and could not compete. Sadly, George Gardiner died only a few weeks after the Olympics, aged only 24, in hospital after a knee operation.