The Second Mark - by Joy Goodwin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

It was billed as the greatest event in the history of pair skating: three of the best teams of all time battling for Olympic gold on one night in Salt Lake City. Technical ability was approximately equal. It was the artistic merit score that would decide the gold medal -- the second mark.

Representing Canada, China, and Russia, the three pairs illuminated their distinct cultures. On the second mark, whose culture would triumph? Would it be the beauty of the Russians' ballet on ice, the thrill of the Chinese pair's heart-stopping acrobatics, or the Canadians' passionate connection with the audience? In a down-to-the-wire nail-biter, the difference between gold and silver came down to the vote of a single judge. Hours later, a bombshell: the confession of a French judge unleashed a worldwide debate -- and ultimately produced an unprecedented duplicate gold medal.

The Second Mark reveals what an athlete really goes through to become the best in the world, through the riveting stories of unforgettable people. We meet Yelena Berezhnaya of Russia, who survives emergency brain surgery after a near-fatal training accident and makes it back to the Olympics in less than two years. We meet Zhao Hongbo, a young boy skating in subzero weather in remotest China, who will fulfill his coach's twenty-year dream of catching up to the West. And we meet two Canadians, a barista and a concession stand worker, who had almost quit the sport before deciding to give it one last try -- and becoming world champions.

Exhaustively researched by a skating insider, The Second Mark takes readers deep into the world of the Olympic athlete, illuminating the fascinating differences between East and West. From the frozen fields of China to the secret corridors of the old Soviet sports system, from a tiny farm village in remotest Quebec to the judges' backstage world, The Second Mark tells the compelling human
stories behind one of the most controversial nights in Olympic history.

Review Quotes

Christine Brennan "USA Today" columnist, author of "Inside Edge" and "Edge of Glory" We all remember the stunning story of the pairs figure skating scandal that rocked the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. Now, for the first time ever, we have been given the opportunity to read the riveting story of the six remarkable athletes whose lives were forever altered by that event. Joy Goodwin has written a superb book, filled with graceful insights, passionate recollections, and intelligent analysis of an Olympic event that never will be forgotten. The scores are in for "The Second Mark: " 6.0s across the board.

Dick Button Joy Goodwin has written an intelligent, insightful, informative, and entertaining book. It's more than just skating -- it's a look inside three cultures. "The Second Mark" is first-rate and the best sports book I've read in years.

Peggy Fleming From the first page of "The Second Mark, " I was hooked. Reading this book brought me right back into the Salt Lake arena for the drama that unfolded. I was riveted by the story of these six remarkable athletes on their journey to the Olympics, even though I already knew much of their history. Joy Goodwin is an extraordinary reporter and a great storyteller, and "The Second Mark" is a terrific book. It's a must-read for people who love the sport, but it's also a must-read for anyone who loves a great story.

Christine Brennan

"USA Today" columnist, author of "Inside Edge" and "Edge of Glory"

We all remember the stunning story of the pairs figure skating scandal that rocked the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. Now, for the first time ever, we have been given the opportunity to read the riveting story of the six remarkable athletes whose lives were forever altered by that event. Joy Goodwin has written a superb book, filled with graceful insights, passionate recollections, and intelligent analysis of an Olympic event that never will be forgotten. The scores are in for "The Second Mark: " 6.0s across the board.

Dick Button

Joy Goodwin has written an intelligent, insightful, informative, and entertaining book. It's more than just skating -- it's a look inside three cultures. "The Second Mark" is first-rate and the best sports book I've read in years.

Peggy Fleming

From the first page of "The Second Mark," I was hooked. Reading this book brought me right back into the Salt Lake arena for the drama that unfolded. I was riveted by the story of these six remarkable athletes on their journey to the Olympics, even though I already knew much of their history. Joy Goodwin is an extraordinary reporter and a great storyteller, and "The Second Mark" is a terrific book. It's a must-read for people who love the sport, but it's also a must-read for anyone who loves a great story.

About the Author

Joy Goodwin is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. Since 1999, she has covered figure skating for ABC Sports. She holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University. The Second Mark is her first book. She lives in New York City.