In August 2016 the world will be spellbound by the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as 10,500 athletes from 206 countries compete in 306 events. Tracing their origins back to the Greeks in 776 BC, the history of the Olympics is a glorious one but it has had its darker moments. During the First World War no fewer than 135 Olympians perished. Many had won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. They came not just from the UK, Germany, France, USA but from all over the globe. Wyndham Halswelle, killed in action on 31 March 1915, won a Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in both field and track events. The Frenchman Leon Flameng, the fastest cyclist ever, died on 2 January 1917, having won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the 1896 Olympics. The German Fritz Bartholomae, killed in action 12 September 1915, won a Bronze in the rowing eights during the 1912 Olympics. The list of these heroes goes on and on. Each Olympian, who made the supreme sacrifice, is honoured in this magnificent book by a summary of their life, sporting achievement and manner of their death. AUTHOR: Born in 1953, Nigel McCrery travelled extensively during his childhood as his father was in the RAF. They settled in Nottingham. He served in the Nottinghamshire Constabulary between 1978 and 1987. He then read History at Trinity College, Cambridge and joined the BBC graduate entry course. He has written or been responsible for a number of highly successful BBC series and films including Silent Witness, New Tricks and All The King's Men. He has written over a dozen novels. Into Touch - Rugby Players Killed in The Great War and The Final Wicket - Test and First Class Cricketers killed in The Great War is in print with Pen and Sword Military. Nigel lives in Nottingham. SELLING POINTS: ? Published to coincide with the 2016 Olympic Games ? Interest in the Great War ever increasing. ? Written by proven author/script writer. ? Successor/companion to the best-selling Into Touch (Rugby players who perished in The Great War) and Final Wicket (Test and First Class Cricketers killed in The Great War) ? National/International appeal and strong media prospects. 200 b/w images
