Talk of 2014 Russia Olympic Boycott Drudges Memories of 1980

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BOYCOTT: STOLEN DREAMS OF THE 1980 MOSCOW OLYMPIC GAMES by Identical Twin Authors Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli chronicles the heartache and disappointment of the political decision to boycott Olympic Games

New York, August 21st, 2008 --"(PressReleasePoint)"-- When U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach (R) from Pennsylvania appeared on Neil Cavuto’s FOX BUSINESS SHOW – Your World With Neil Cavuto – on August 18 espousing the International Olympic Committee take action against Russia to rescind the opportunity for Sochi, Russia to host the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, the conversation quickly turned to talk of 1980 and the last time the Olympic Games were held in Russia.

In 1980, Moscow was the site of the Olympic Summer Games and the U.S.-led boycott of those Games because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was the reason more than 60 countries around the world stayed away from the Soviet capital. Talk of a boycott became reality but the action did not force the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Will talk of another boycott or moving the Games from Sochi affect the desired change Rep. Gerlach and others in Congress are hoping?

Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games tells the story of the 1980 U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games Written by identical twins Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli, Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games (New Chapter Press) chronicles the stories of 18 elite American athletes who trained thousands of hours for their once-in-a-lifetime chance at Olympic glory in Moscow only to become pawns in a political Cold War chess match between superpowers. The book also outlines the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that led to the boycott, efforts by a group of athletes to overturn the boycott by legal means, and the entire 1980 team eventually receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award which is bestowed by the United States Congress.

“We saw in 1980 that whenever threats are used as political leverage when discussing a boycott of the Olympics, the only real victims are the athletes’” said BOYCOTT author Tom Caraccioli. “Thankfully, talk of a boycott did not lead to one at the 2008 Olympic Games. The stories of heartache and disappointment chronicled in BOYCOTT prove that whenever politics and the Olympics intersect, seldom does it prove to be a good mix.”

Vice President Walter F. Mondale, who spoke on behalf of the boycott prior to the USOC’s April 12, 1980 vote to officially boycott the Games, wrote the Foreword for the book. Mondale apologizes to all the athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete calling them, “warriors in our country’s defense of freedom.”

Among those endorsing the book include CBS Sports commentator Dick Enberg, who states, “Boycott uniquely and poignantly captures the impact of American athletes denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games. Nearly three decades later, I continue to appreciate and understand their heartbreak and anger. Thanks to the authors, we are reminded of their brave, but painful sacrifice. This book, then, becomes their belated, but deserved Olympic salute.“

Said Christine Brennan, USA Today Columnist, ABC News Commentator and author of Best Seat in the House, "The story of the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games is best told through the eyes of the young athletes whose dreams were dashed by the decision. Their compelling tales are told here...This was a time in U.S. history that should be remembered. This is a book that should be read.“

Said Anita DeFrantz, President of LA84 Foundation, member of the International Olympic Committee and USOC Board member, “The boycott of 1980 was a stunning experience because I thought in our country, the individuals had the right to make their choices in sport. It is reassuring that the Caracciolis decided to tackle this story about America and American athletes in a challenging time.“

Boycott is published by New Chapter Press – also the publisher of The Roger Federer Story, Quest for Perfection by Rene Stauffer and The Bud Collins History of Tennis by Bud Collins.

Athletes featured in the book are:
Don Paige (Athletics) Philadelphia, Pa.
Glenn Mills (Swimming) Ridgeville, Ohio
Gwen Gardner (Athletics) Los Angeles, Calif
Gene Mills (Wrestling) Pompton Lakes, N.J.
Craig Beardsley (Swimming) New York, N.Y.
Sue Walsh (Swimming) Hamburg, N.Y.
Bill Hanzlik (Basketball) Beloit, Wisc.,
Amy Koopman (Gymnastics) Arlington Heights, Ill.
Isiah Thomas (Basketball) Chicago, Ill.
Carol Blazejowski (Basketball) Fairview, N.J.
Luci Collins (Gymnastics) Englewood, Calif.
David Kimes (Shooting) Monterey Park, Calif.
Brian Gust (Wrestling) Lakeville, Minn.
Lisa Buese (Swimming) Louisville, Ky.
Linda Cornelius Waltman (Athletics) Ft. Worth, Tx
Thomas Schuler (Cycling) Birmingham, Mich.
Ron Galimore (Gymnastics) Ames, Iowa
Debbie Landreth (Volleyball) El Segundo, Calif.

Boycott is the second book written by the Caraccioli’s – identical twins raised in Oswego, N.Y. In 2006, they wrote Striking Silver: The Untold Story of America’s Forgotten Hockey Team about the 1972 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Tom Caraccioli resides in Philadelphia, Pa., while Jerry Caraccioli lives in New York City.

Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.newchapterpressmedia.com) is an independent publisher of books and part of the Independent Publishers Group. More information on the book can be found at www.boycottbook.com and is available on Amazon.com.
Press Release submission By PressReleasePoint

Press Contact:
Randy Walker
New Chapter Press Media
New York, N.Y
917-770-0843
Rwalker@newchapterpressmedia.com
http://www.boycottbook.com