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Eddie Ratliff: From Small Town Ohio to Team USA

Eddie was a member of the 1960 US Olympic basketball team that many believe was cheated out of the gold medal by a late game controversy vs Russia. Eddie and his teammates have all stood the test of time to not accept the silver medals. Eddie talks about his journey from Columbus, Ohio to Long Beach State and eventually the NBA, to then becoming an Olympian.

Time: 1:09

Meeting life long friends in the Olympic Village
Time: 1:30

Being cheated out of the Gold medal
Time: 0:59

The sting of a loss
Time: 0:55

Refusing the Silver medal

Coach Mark Gottfried and Eddie Ratliff

00:00 – Ed Radliff, successful basketball career from Columbus, OH
03:22 – Ohio high school basketball success is familiar.
07:06 – Exciting basketball experiences at Ohio State campus.
12:06 – Only time Eddie ever fouled out came from an aggressive defense.
14:12 – Coach touches on Eddie’s basketball mind with strong defensive focus.
17:19 – Ambitious yet unexpected Olympic pursuit.
20:40 – Jim Abbot, Olympic gold, coaching, country honor.
23:58 – Coach Gottfried praises Olympic team, but acknowledges challenge of coaching.
29:03 – Russians dominate cold war events, Americans suffer.
32:22 – The 1960 Men’s Basketball Team refuses to accept silver medal win.
34:15 – Players protested the 1960 Olympic result.
38:48 – Eddie speaks to the documentary he was able to support.
42:37 – Eddie talks about staying in touch with old teammates from the Olympic team.
47:02 – Coach speaks to Ed’s influence on young players.