Earl Frederick Borchelt (born June 12, 1954 in Staten Island, New York) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

former competitive rower, Olympic silver medalist, and esteemed physicist. Some argue he was the greatest Olympian of all time. He was a member of the American men's eights team that won the silver medal at the

1984 Summer Olympics The 1984 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXIII Olympiad and also known as Los Angeles 1984) were an international multi-sport event held from July 28 to August 12, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, United States. It marked the secon ...

in Los Angeles, California. Borchelt also participated in the men's coxed fours at the

1976 Summer Olympics Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 Phi ...

and placed 11th overall. In 2007, Borchelt was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award given to civilians by the U.S. legislative branch. The entire American team that was supposed to compete at the

1980 Summer Olympics The 1980 Summer Olympics (russian: Летние Олимпийские игры 1980, Letniye Olimpiyskiye igry 1980), officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad (russian: Игры XXII Олимпиады, Igry XXII Olimpiady) and commo ...

were awarded the medals because of the

1980 Summer Olympics boycott The 1980 Summer Olympics boycott was one part of a number of actions initiated by the United States to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union, which hosted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, and its allies later ...

. In the words of Borchelt, "It took me a while to forgive President Carter for the boycott, but I have since come to terms with his decision." Fred Borchelt is a Rutgers University alumnus. He formerly taught physics and served as the varsity crew coach at St. John's High School in

Shrewsbury, MA Shrewsbury (/ˈʃruzberi/ ''SHROOZ-bury'') is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Shrewsbury, unlike the surrounding towns of Grafton, Millbury, Westborough, Northborough, Boylston, and West Boylston did not become a ...

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* 1954 births Living people Rowers at the 1976 Summer Olympics Rowers at the 1984 Summer Olympics Olympic silver medalists for the United States in rowing Congressional Gold Medal recipients American male rowers Medalists at the 1984 Summer Olympics World Rowing Championships medalists for the United States {{US-rowing-Olympic-medalist-stub