1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

RIP Jeff Blatnick

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by holy bull, Oct 24, 2012.

  1. holy bull

    holy bull Active Member

    Jeff Blatnick, 1984 Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, died today of cardiopulmonary arrest. He was 55.

    He lived in Ballston Lake NY with his wife and two kids. All-around great guy much beloved in the community. A legendary figure who wasn't treated like one, because he didn't act like one.
     
  2. Smallpotatoes

    Smallpotatoes Well-Known Member

    His gold medal victory in 1984 was my favorite moment of those games.

    He was also one of the people who helped develop MMA rules.
     
  3. holy bull

    holy bull Active Member

    Apologies for not supplying a link.

    I was under the mistaken belief that it was behind our pay wall.

    http://bit.ly/Tgufjm
     
  4. holy bull

    holy bull Active Member

    Here's a photo gallery:

    http://bit.ly/UDKitw
     
  5. Mark2010

    Mark2010 Active Member

    I don't follow wrestling and I even recognized that name.
     
  6. HanSenSE

    HanSenSE Well-Known Member

    RIP.

    New and improved link: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2012/oct/25/olympic-wrestling-champion-jeff-blatnick-dies/
     
  7. Azrael

    Azrael Well-Known Member

    Rest.

    www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/sports/jeff-blatnick-gold-medal-winner-in-wrestling-dies-at-55.html?hpw
     
  8. YankeeFan

    YankeeFan Well-Known Member

    I can't find a picture, but Blatnick carried our flag in the closing ceremonies.

    While most flag bearers wear a harness to help hold the flag, Blatnick held it aloft with one arm like it was a twig.

    It was such a great scene, and great story. RIP.
     
  9. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    I interviewed him in 1999 for a series we were doing on the best Olympic champions of the century. Just a great, great guy, and an amazing, inspiring story.

    Earlier this year, my company brought him in as a inspirational speaker. I talked to him afterwards and he remembered the article, which stunned the hell out of me. I saw him again at another conference less than a month ago. He seemed fine.

    Big guy, but seemed healthy as can be.

    Very sad... RIP...
     
  10. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    Whew. For a minute I thought that said Jamie Blatnick.
     
  11. cjericho

    cjericho Well-Known Member

    RIP. One of the best Olympic stories, also a very good commentator.
     
  12. Drip

    Drip Active Member

    RIP to an outstanding wrestling talent and a true Olympian.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page