The Associated Press

ATHENS - Greco-Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner of the United States failed to repeat his gold-medal performance of the Sydney Olympics, settling for a bronze Wednesday.

After beating Iranian Sajad Barzi to win the medal, Gardner tearfully untied his shoes and left them in the ring - the traditional sign of retirement.

"I came back and won a medal. Even though it's bronze, I have no regrets, because I gave 100 percent in every match," Gardner said.

Gardner was upset by Kazakhstan's Georgiy Tsurtsumia 4-1 in the semifinals.

There will be another American retirement today when the Fab Five of U.S. women's soccer - Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Kristine Lilly - play their final major international tournament together, going for gold against Brazil.

"You can go back to virtually every milestone that we've crossed in the women's game and you can credit these four, five or six players," U.S. coach April Heinrichs said.

In other action Wednesday, the U.S. women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals with a 102-72 victory over Greece.

• U.S. teenager Allyson Felix narrowly missed becoming a gold medalist, losing in the 200 to Jamaica's Veronica Campbell.

• Americans Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova earned a bronze medal in the synchronized swimming duet final.