EMPIRE SPORTS OVERVIEW
MORE INFORMATION

2010 GOLDEN GLOVES BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS.
MORE INFORMATION

THE WILL TO WIN
MORE INFORMATION

THE FINAL GAME
MORE INFORMATION

THE COACH'S JOURNEY
MORE INFORMATION

THE WILL TO WIN
COMING SOON

Los Angeles, 1984: Entering the 1984 Olympics, the U.S. had never won an Olympic medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. Its super heavyweight entrant, Jeff Blatnick, seemed unlikely to change that. Then again, two years earlier, the New York native wasn't a good bet to even become an Olympian. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, Blatnick had his spleen and appendix removed in August 1982, and underwent radiation two months later. Ignoring concerns of doctors, Blatnick quickly resumed training, and ultimately made the U.S. team for Los Angeles. There, he capped his comeback by scoring twice in the final 64 seconds of the gold-medal match to defeat Sweden's Tomas Johansson. After falling to his knees and looking skyward, Blatnick dedicated the victory to his brother, Dave, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1977.

The dramatic television interview the world saw immediately after his medal-winning bout brought Jeff's private struggles to the public eye. And, shortly after winning the Gold, his US teammates elected Blatnick to carry the flag at the Closing Ceremonies of the L.A. Games - an honor Jeff will never forget.

As Sports Illustrated Publisher Dave Long states, "Gold Medal stories are always fascinating, but because of the other battles he's fought, Jeff's was something special. And we know that everyone who heard him speak, was inspired by what he had to say!"

1984 Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling - Jeff Blatnick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI4vXfFx_DA

For more information visit:
http://www.jeffblatnick.com/4.html

Or Download the PDF
Download PDF