He was not "heavily involved" with the boxing team - he worked out a couple of times with the team and discussed with the coach becoming the team physician.  He claimed and still claims that he also discussed with the coach accompanying the team on their trip to Russia.  However, the coach said that although they had casually discussed the teams potential team trips, the team was not planning a trip to Russia nor had he ever mentioned such a locale to Macdonald.  The Government claims that he made this up with the intent of taking a "vacation" from his family - with his wife thinking he's incommunicado in Russia, he would be able to live the bachelor life he desired and indulged in while he was married.