They could just distract them with something bright and shiny. Or tell them Mike Zadick called them names and said they can't read good, then they'd probably run off on foot to find him in Montana.
I know people who have done more and rarely talk about themselves. Chertow makes it sound like he was the greatest ever and is continuously on the prowl to scam someone.
I've never seen someone get as much mileage from just making it to the Olympics and not winning an NCAA title. You'd swear Chertow was every bit as accomplished as John Smith if you listen to him talk.