Source: Radio New Zealand
Les O’Connell, Shane O’Brien, Conrad Robertson, Keith Trask- Mens Coxless 4 win gold at the 1984 Summer Olympic games. Photosport
Police are asking the thief of former rower Les O’Connell’s Olympic gold medal, which was taken in home burglary, to anonymously return it to any police station.
Les O’Connell’s home was burgled over the weekend, with thieves stealing a vehicle full of work tools, as well as entering the house and taking his Olympic gold medal.
O’Connell won the medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, rowing in the men’s coxless four, and was appealing to whoever pinched it to give it back undamaged.
He said the medal was gold coated but was largely made of silver.
Detective Nigel Thomson said the gold medal held “immense personal and sentimental value”.
“The Olympic gold medal is a significant piece of New Zealand sporting history, and is irreplaceable for Mr O’Connell,” Detective Thomson said.
“We understand that Olympic medals are often difficult to sell and are frequently recognised once publicly reported. For that reason, police are urging anyone who has information on the medal’s whereabouts to please come forward.
“If you are in possession of the medal – we urge you to return this immediately and without damage,” Detective Thomson said.
The medal can be returned anonymously by being dropped off to any police station, including by a trusted third party.
Can’t be replaced – Les O’Connell
Les O’Connell earlier told Checkpoint that no loss was stinging harder than the medal.
“All those other items, that’s what they are, they’re just pure items that can be replaced, this can’t.”
“All of that pale’s comparison to the gold medal.”
O’Connell said the years of work he put in prior to getting the medal was part of what had made the loss hit even harder.
“It’s something I’m not going to win again and it’s a whole process. You know, I was a world champion for two years before the Olympics, so it was a whole build-up to winning a gold medal… it was hard fought.”
O’Connell was holding out hope that the thieves would see some sense and return the medal back to its home.
“If they could put it somewhere and let someone know or phone into something and say, it’s here. Even if they just hide it somewhere and later on they let someone know… even post it back somewhere.
“I just don’t want it disfigured or thrown away and lost forever.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
