For Immediate Release Catherine Pappas Public Relations, The Ictus Initiative 617-717-8294 Catherine@IctusInitiative.com CAPTAIN OF 2004 US OLYMPIC FENCING TEAM TO SHOWCASE NEW MEMOIR AT BOOKEXPO AMERICA   Jeff Bukantz's Closing the Distance: Chasing a Father's Olympic Fencing Legacy to Be Featured June 1, 2, and 3 in NYC   NEW YORK. May 22, 2007-Jeff Bukantz, the captain of the gold-winning 2004 US Olympic Fencing Team will be showcasing his memoir Closing the Distance: Chasing a Father's Olympic Fencing Legacy (Acanthus Publishing) at BookExpo America (BEA) on June 1, 2, and 3 in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center. This highly-regarded title reveals the secret to his Olympic success: following his father's influence, passion, and advice while doing it in his own unique way.   "I had my work cut out for me," writes Bukantz whose describes his entrance into the elite fencing circle in Closing the Distance as anything but smooth. "Dad was a living legend, a lovable guy, a four-time Olympian, a four-time individual National Champion, a nine-time team National Champion, the highest rated international referee, and World Maccabiah Champion in 1950. I could barely win a high school bout."   As his memoir reveals, it was only through hard work, dedication, and believing in himself that Jeff was ultimately able to become a legitimate contender. After years of tenacious determination, he qualified for the 1981 World University Games Team and the 1983 and 1987 World Championship Teams. In 1987 he competed at the Pan American Games, where he won a bronze medal for the U.S. Team. Then, on December 26th 2003, Jeff received word that the U.S. Fencing Association had selected him to Captain the 2004 U.S. Olympic Fencing Team-an honor he had wanted to share with his father for over 30 years and a position that enabled Jeff to lead his team to the first US gold-medal in fencing in over 100 years.   "Closing the Distance is both inspirational and emotional," says Bruce Beck, Sports Anchor for WNBC-TV. "It is a brilliantly woven story of the relationship between father and son, and how pressure and expectations can be handled with class. Jeff Bukantz has long proven to be both a 'giant' and a 'gem' in the sports industry and this book is a winner."   At the BEA, Closing the Distance will join authors, literary agents, librarians and publishers from all over the globe in what is considered the largest selection of English language titles in the world.   For more information, please visit Jeff's website at www.JeffBukantz.com. To schedule an interview or to request a review copy, please contact Catherine Pappas at 617-717-8294 or Catherine@IctusInitiative.com.   ###