Legendary Upstate Olympian Dies At Age 55! (VIDEO)

Jeff Blatnick, an Albany area sports legend, has passed away at the age of 55 following heart surgery.

Blatnick won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling.  After the 1980 Moscow Olympics was boycotted and absent of U.S. participation, Blatnick was diagnosed with cancer and had his spleen and kidney removed.  He then went on to win the gold medal against incredible personal odds in 1984.

Blatnick was a graduate of Niskayuna High School (just outside of Albany) and was a much beloved figure in his hometown.

It is impossible to not be moved by this emotional video of his gold medal win!