This photograph was taken in the hotel before the group left to fly home to the United States. Pictured are (from left) Diana Bailey, Donna Pope (foreground), Carol Raanes, John Bailey, Julie Wheeler, Adam Wheeler, Marley Wheeler, Jim Clifford, Mamie Garceo, Amy Peterson, and Gary Peterson. (Photographs courtesy of Pope/Wheeler families) During the 2008 Summer Olympics Games, Donna Pope of St. Ignace traveled to Beijing, China, where she witnessed her granddaughter's husband, Adam Wheeler, compete in Greco- Roman wrestling, winning a bronze medal for the United States.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone," said Mrs. Pope, who traveled with family members. "My daughter, Mamie Garceo, and granddaughter, Marley Wheeler, traveled together, and we spent eight days in China."

Mr. Wheeler wrestled in the 96 kilogram (211.5 pound) division, and recorded a 3-1 record that included victories over Lajos Virag of Hungary to open the competition and Hunchen Jiang of China before falling to Mirko Englich of Germany. In the match against Han Tae- Young of Korea for the bronze medal, Mr. Wheeler posted a 3-1 and 4-1 decision to win the first medal for the United States wrestling team.

Donna Pope (center) with her daughter, Mamie Garceo (left) and granddaughter Marley Wheeler, during their trip to Beijing, China. In Greco-Roman wrestling, the oldest Olympic sport, the legs may not be used in any way to obtain a fall, and no holds may be taken below the waist. Other rules and procedures are the same as those for freestyle and other international amateur style wrestling.

Aslanbek Khushtov of Russia won the gold medal and Mirko Englich of Germany the silver.

Both Mr. Wheeler and Aset Mambetov of Kazakhstan received bronze medals.

Mr. Wheeler's dream of making the Olympic team took a dramatic turn at the trials in Las Vegas in June, where he defeated Justin Ruiz, five-time reigning national champion, two matches to one. Mr. Wheeler, a California native, and Mr. Ruiz have battled on the mat since 2004, but this was the first time Mr. Wheeler has come out on top.

The medal ceremony for the Greco-Roman wrestling 96kg/211.5 pound division included (from left) silver medalist Mirko Englich of Germany, gold medalist Aslanbek Khushtov of Russia, bronze medalist Adam Wheeler of United States, and bronze medalist Aset Mambetov of Kazakhstan, along with Chinese presenters with medals and roses. Training at the United States Olympic Education Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University (NMU), Mr. Wheeler studied criminal justice and psychology and was coached in wrestling by former Bulgarian Olympian Ivan Ivanov and United States Olympian Jim Gruenwald. During his studies and training at NMU, he met his future wife, Marley Garceo, who was earning her degree in education.

During their eight days in China, Mrs. Pope and her family enjoyed touring Beijing and the Great Wall and enjoyed a variety of Chinese foods and the architecture.

"We all enjoyed our stay, the wrestling events were tremendous, and the Chinese were great hosts," said Mrs. Pope.