Here’s an Olympic Comeback Story You Probably Haven’t Heard About
by Irvin Muchnick Salon ran my recent commentary on how the Milan Cortina Olympics came and went with nary a word about the scrupulously ignored
March 4, 2026
PACHINKO
MAN
The Life and Meaning
of Pro Wrestling Legend Rikidōzan
Reserve your autographed copy of the book as soon as it becomes available in the second half of 2026, by putting down a $20 deposit toward the purchase price. The funds can be sent to paypal@muchnick.net, and your order will be acknowledged and you will be billed for the balance. (The price is expected to be set at either $22.95 or $24.95, and will include free shipping to U.S. addresses.)
Coming in 2026 from ECW Press,
distributed by Simon & Schuster
Irvin Muchnick, the late sportswriting great Frank Deford said, “produces magnificent investigative journalism.” Reporting for Underwater: The Greed-Soaked Tale of Sexual Abuse in USA Swimming and Around the Globe (2024) spurred government and sports governance investigations in five countries. He also took on the public health crisis in football with Concussion Inc. (2015) and Without Helmets or Shoulder Pads (2023). His classic books explaining the pro wrestling phenomenon in American society include Wrestling Babylon: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal (2007) and Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling’s Cocktail of Death (now in its third “Ultimate Historical Edition”).
Muchnick was born in St. Louis and lives in California. A former assistant director of the National Writers Union, he was lead respondent of the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming freelance writers’ copyrights and economic rights, Reed Elsevier v. Muchnick.
Blog
‘No Current Professional, Business, or Personal Association’ With Disgraced Brazilian Coach Alex Pussieldi, Azura Aquatics Owner Gianluca Alberani Insists
PREVIOUSLY: “Alex Pussieldi Update: Decade After Ouster in Florida, Peeping Tom and Multinational Trafficker Coach Remains a Powerful Figure in Brazilian Swimming,” October 27, 2025, https://concussioninc.net/?p=15882
February 25, 2026
‘Sports-abuse agency promises new reforms, after years of failing young athletes’ — Now at Salon
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics offer as good a platform as any for contemplating the next stage in the evolution of the failed U.S. Center for
February 22, 2026
Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida – Where Alex Pussieldi Retains a Significant Footprint Through Association with Azura Aquatics – Is ‘Reviewing’ Questions about His Campus Presence
PREVIOUSLY: “Alex Pussieldi Update: Decade After Ouster in Florida, Peeping Tom and Multinational Trafficker Coach Remains a Powerful Figure in Brazilian Swimming,” October 27, 2025, https://concussioninc.net/?p=15882
February 19, 2026
Alex Pussieldi Is Hiding in Plain Sight at Meets in Florida, and USA Swimming Has Nothing to Say
by Irvin Muchnick On February 7, Alex Pussieldi’s Instagram account posted a video, which appears to include promotion of Azura Aquatics of Davie, Florida, and
February 11, 2026
Alex Pussieldi, Still Seen on the Pool Decks of Age-Group Meets in Florida, ‘Is Not Currently Registered as a USA Swimming Member,’ Group Says
PREVIOUSLY: “Alex Pussieldi Update: Decade After Ouster in Florida, Peeping Tom and Multinational Trafficker Coach Remains a Powerful Figure in Brazilian Swimming,” October 27, 2025, https://concussioninc.net/?p=15882 “Questions
February 4, 2026
Books
UNDERWATER
The Greed-Soaked Tale of Sexual Abuse in USA Swimming and Around the Globe
A deep dive into the unsafety of youth athletes — in the U.S. and abroad — under the commerce-driven Olympic system
$19.95
Also available from:
CHRIS & NANCY
The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling’s Cocktail of Death
Third and “Ultimate Historical Edition.” Full account of the sensational 2007 episode that still shines light on the dark side of the wrestling industry and of American business, media, and politics.
$22.95
Also available from:
Investigative journalism isn’t ‘peer-reviewed literature.’ It’s a contact sport.
Contact
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