The Amateurs

In the lead-up to the 1984 Olympics, four American rowers—Tiff Wood, John Biglow, Brad Lewis, and Joe Bouscaren—compete fiercely in the single sculls trials, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence in a sport with little financial reward. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam explores their intense determination and the physical hardships they face in this high-stakes competition. As one athlete prepares to represent the U.S. at the Olympics, the others grapple with the emotional toll of falling just short of victory.