Jeff Blatnick

Biography

It is a moment that will be remembered forever: Jeff Blatnick dropping to his knees and bringing his hands together in thanks for winning the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. There is much more to this Olympic Champion than just a Gold Medal. Just two years earlier, Blatnick was diagnosed with Hodgkin`s Disease. After a series of daily radiation treatments, he resumed training. And in his final match at the 1984 games, Blatnick took a 2-0 victory, becoming only the second United States Greco-Roman wrestler in history to win a gold medal.

Unbelievably, just one year after his remarkable athletic achievement, Blatnick was again diagnosed with Hodgkin`s Disease. This time, six months of chemotherapy were prescribed to put the cancer into remission. He received his last chemotherapy injection on Valentine`s Day, 1986. Blatnick retired from competition but served as a commentator during the 1988 Olympics.

Today, Blatnick is one of the premier motivational speakers in the country. His personalized presentation conveys his enthusiasm, sincerity, and love of life, all of which have kept him focused on a single purpose: overcoming adversity. Perception is the key to performance and to Blatnick`s presentations. He does not want to just inspire, he wants to motivate. He wants to get people to help themselves and therefore become more productive in their everyday lives.

In addition to his motivational speaking engagements, Blatnick has become a successful television sportscaster. He has appeared as an expert analyst on NBC, ABC, ESPN, Madison Square Garden Network, and Prime Ticket Cable.

Blatnick has also served as a spokesperson for the Leukemia Society of America, United Way, American Concern Society, United States Olympic Committee, National Fitness Leaders Association, and the New York State Department of Education. He has served on the Board of Directors of USA Wrestling, and continues to assist in policy-setting, promotion, wrestling clinics and fund-raising efforts.