“Doug Levy’s well-researched book contains some of the lesser-known Olympic stories of courage . . . I confess to a particular interest in chapter three with my friend and teammate Dave Moorcroft, where we share the opposite ends of the emotional spectrum in the Summer Games of 1984.”

—Sebastian Coe, two-time gold medalist, set twelve track-and-field world records

“When training and racing internationally leading up to my Olympic races, I quickly came to believe that on any given race day, about ten people would have trained well enough to win but only three would ‘have a good day’ and emerge from the pack. Doug Levy has paid tribute to competitors who had trained to win and had been willing to find out—but their individual stories intervened.”

—Frank Shorter, gold medalist, Men’s Marathon, 1972 Summer Olympic Games

“In Hero Redefined, Doug Levy has expanded the truism that ‘every Olympian is a special hero in their own special way'...So much goes into becoming an Olympian that is only seen by the athlete and their family.  There is so much more than network TV or even the local newspaper shares.  It is a personal journey few are fortunate enough to make.  Each athlete's road to Olympus can be a source of inspiration to all."

—Mac Wilkins, USA discus thrower and gold (1976) and silver (1984) medal winner

“As someone who has experienced Olympic success, I can attest that true heroism lies in the relentless pursuit of excellence and the courage to overcome obstacles. Doug Levy beautifully illuminates these remarkable stories, reminding us that every athlete’s journey is worthy of celebration, regardless of the podium’s outcome.”

—Mitch Gaylord, gold medalist, Men's Gymnastics, 1984 Olympic Games

“For too long, sporting heroes have been defined in a limited scope, because sports history has been told in a limited scope. Levy’s Hero Redefined is another important step in highlighting the unique stories of forgotten and overlooked athletes.”

—Ian Kennedy, author of Ice in Their Veins: Women’s Relentless Pursuit of the Puck and On Account of Darkness: Shining Light on Race and Sport

“There’s compelling storytelling ribboned throughout—Doug Levy really captures the essence of what it means for so many athletes to become an Olympian regardless of results.”

—Ross Fletcher, former Emmy Award–winning broadcaster of the Olympic Games, Seattle Kraken hockey, and Seattle Sounders soccer

“In Hero Redefined, Doug Levy explores the enormous work ethic, devotion, and sacrifices that elite athletes demonstrate when they aspire for excellence. There are only winners here.”

—Dr. Bob Adams, longtime team doctor for USA Track & Field, helped establish the first drug testing programs for USATF athletes

“Hero Redefined takes us through the journey of the quiet heroes who are rebuilding the innovative luge and bobsled track in Sarajevo, along with unearthing tales of other athletes whose stories show that champions can be found in more places than you think.”

—Svein Romstad, head coach of the USA luge team in Sarajevo, former general secretary of the International Luge Federation

“Doug Levy's Hero Redefined presents an honest and complete profile of larger-than-life Alexander Cushing and his long-shot gambit to bring the 1960 Winter Olympics to the USA—as well as the exploits of athletes around the world who displayed their own quiet heroism.”

—David Antonucci, author of Snowball’s Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe, Fairest Picture – Mark Twain at Lake Tahoe, and Environmental History of Lake Tahoe

“Well-researched and filled with compelling anecdotes, Doug Levy reveals the personal, behind-the-scenes stories of athletes and events that make Olympic history endlessly entertaining and uplifting. His chapter on Alex Cushing and the events of the 1960 Winter Olympics draws on dozens of interviews that connect the reader intimately with the personalities that defined that seminal event.”

—Eddy Ancinas, author of Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows: Tales from Two Valleys and Tracing Inca Trails: An Adventure in the Andes

“Doug Levy’s Hero Redefined is truly a captivating read. All sports fans will enjoy the stories that recognize and pay homage to some unsung athletes and show why their achievements make them heroes, too.”

—Paul Allen, author of Bright Lights Black Stars: Negro League Players and Canada’s Oldest Baseball League

“Hero Redefined includes riveting stories of courage, perseverance, and sacrifice by unheralded Olympians who overcame injury and adverse circumstances to enshrine the true spirit of the Games. Basing his book on extensive interviews and research, Doug Levy takes a unique look at Olympic history and gives us a broader and thought-provoking definition of what makes a champion.”

—Don Pugnetti Jr., author of A Coat Dyed Black: A Novel of the Norwegian Resistance

“Anyone who thinks the Olympics are only about winning Olympic medals hasn’t read this book. It’s the people seen in these pages that are the true soul of the Olympic Games.”

—Bob Hughes, president, USA Luge; executive producer emeritus, Carr-Hughes Productions

“Doug Levy focuses on thirteen Olympians, eleven men and two women, who competed in the post-televised Games where spectators . . . rarely meet the many extraordinary contenders who gather for each Olympiad . . . he presents life champions who exhibit the grit and guts of great athletes whether or not they won medals.”

—Carolyn Wood, gold medalist, 1960 USA Olympic Swim Team; author of Tough Girl: Lessons in Courage and Heart from Olympic Gold to the Camino de Santiago

“Doug Levy captures so many compelling stories that remind me of the magic of Hayward Field, where every run, jump, or throw tells a story of grit. . . . The true magic of sport isn’t just in victories but in the untold journeys.”

—Paul Swangard, longtime Hayward Field PA announcer, Olympics broadcaster

“Hero Redefined offers a rich tapestry of stories about lesser-known Olympic athletes, bringing their achievements into the spotlight with an inspiring, deeply human touch.”

—Cindy Gustafson, Placer County Board of Supervisors

“Doug Levy has written a compelling tribute to unsung Olympic heroes, shining a spotlight on athletes like my late uncle, Peter Norman, and how he transcended his silver medal with a courageous human rights stand at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The chapter on Peter—and other athletes and venues throughout the book—serves as a powerful reminder of how the Olympic spirit transcends sport, bringing to light the stories of those who may not have garnered gold, but whose integrity, resilience, and courage continue to inspire generations.”

—Matt Norman, CEO, Wingman Pictures International

“Peter Norman’s story was complex—as are those of athletes throughout Hero Redefined. But Doug Levy has expertly explored those complexities to tell a tale of a great athlete whose commitment to a moral principle was unwavering and whose athletic prowess placed him in the pantheon of Australia’s sporting greats.”

—Strath Gordon, Head of Public Affairs, Australian Olympic Committee

“The City of Sarajevo has an identity that covers several layers—including the hosting of a highly-successful 1984 Winter Games. With Hero Redefined, Doug Levy has written a thought-provoking tale about the championship spirit of athletes and leaders, such as those who fought to restore Sarajevo’s Olympic Games infrastructure after a devastating four-year-long war. This book provides us with an important tool to remember unsung heroes who deserve our recognition and applause.”

—Dr. Sanela Klarić, professor of architecture at Burch University, member of the federal parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina

“An engaging, well-written set of sports stories, and so much more. Levy takes the reader well beyond the typical and familiar, giving you answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. You will come away from this book with a greater appreciation of everything that goes into elite athletics.” 

 —Stephen Lane, author of Long Run to Glory: The Story of the Greatest Marathon in Olympic History and the Women Who Made it Happen

“Doug Levy’s book about Olympic athletes who are unsung heroes is a must-read for those who root for the underdogs—like me. Hero Redefined is for all the diamonds in the rough out there.” 

 —John Chaplin, head track-and-field coach for Washington State University (1974–1994)

“Through the power of scintillating storytelling, Hero Redefined does a terrific job of providing unique perspective on what has long been an overlooked topic: there are only three medalists in any given Olympic competition, but there are many winners and heroes who have blazed their own incredible paths.”

—Brandon Schneider, president, Golden State Warriors

“At last, someone has captured the journey of countless Olympians, each dedicated for years to the pursuit of excellence. The struggles detailed in this book resonated deeply with me.”

—Willie Banks, Men’s Triple Jump and former world record holder, 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games