9781422284308

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In 1980, upstate New York native Jeff Blatnick made the U.S. Olympic wrestling team as a Greco-Roman wrestling super heavyweight (more than 100 kg [220 lbs]). The U.S. boycotted the Moscow Games for political reasons, however. Two years later, Blatnick found a bump on his neck, and he was soon diagnosed with cancer, specifically Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Undeterred, Blatnick went through treatment, including surgery to remove his spleen and appendix. After chemo and radiation therapy, the disease went into remission, and he went back to training in time to make the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. At the Los Angeles Games, Blatnick beat future world champion Tomas Johansson 3-0 in the final. Before 1984, the United States had never won an Olympic medal of any kind in Greco-Roman wrestling. His victory was so unexpected and triumphant that Blatnick was selected to carry the U.S. flag during the 1984 Olympic closing ceremonies. Blatnick Beats Cancer toWin Gold

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