Author Peter Lovesy, writing under a pseudonym, shows both track and field expertise and medical research in this psychological and sports thriller. Though filmed in 1979, NBC aired the filmed version (staring a 5'11" Susan Anton) in 1981, after the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

All of the historical examples of athletes are accurate; the 1980 Olympic athletes are not (though the East German women still dominated the 100m, 200m and 400m events). The author's research into the medical effects of growth hormones is also accurate, and a major factor of the novel. Were the psychological aspects also part of that, or just the result of the professional manipulation of "amateur" athletics?

The ending was fairly short, and I'm wondering if the TV version was similar - I intend to find out soon. There are definitely scenes which could not have been brought straight from the book. This novel wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either - it easily rates 3 gold stars.