The Moscow Games
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OUTLINE
Alexander, 11, in Tallinn during the Moscow Games.
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1500 METER RACE, OLIMPIYSKY POOL, MOSCOW, USSR, 22 JULY 1980
An eery silence bounces off the surface of the water at the Olimpiysky Sports Complex. Seaman Sergei Nikitin sits next to his 11 year old son Alexander high up in the bleachers. Vladimir Salnikov, 20, steps on to the start board, leans into position and jumps forward as the start shot is fired. Alexander's teeth grind against each others, his eyes widen up and his hand squeezes his father's as his hero resurfaces and begins his 30 pool crossings journey.
