Wladimir Klitschko auctioned off his 1996 Olympic gold medal

Wladimir Klitschko’s Gold Medal Grabs $1 Million at Charity Event

The Klitschko brothers held a charitable auction in Kyiv, Ukraine

An Olympic gold medal is no guarantee of subsequent success as a professional boxer, but it meant the world for Wladimir Klitschko. However, that did not stop the Ukrainian from selling the coveted super heavyweight prize he won 16 years ago at the Atlanta Games.

“It was absolutely a highlight in my life and also a highlight for the country because of Ukraine in 1996 for the first time-traveled to the Olympic Games as an independent country,” he said.

The Klitschko brothers held a charitable auction in Kyiv, Ukraine. Wladimir Klitschko, the WBO/IBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion, auctioned off his 1996 Olympic gold medal, which a buyer bid $1 million dollars to win. However, immediately after the sale, the buyer returned the medal to Wladimir as a token of respect, because he wants the medal to remain in the Klitschko family. Wladimir was moved by the buyer’s unbelievable gesture.

“This medal has brought success to Vitali and me. It has become the basis of our professional success and key that opened a lot of doors for us. Our dream has become a reality. And thanks to the funds that were paid for the medal by the benefactor, we will also [help] the dreams of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children. On behalf of these children, their parents, and teachers, I thank you for the wellbeing of the people,” Wladimir said.

Klitschko went pro in late 1996 and quickly established himself as one of the world’s top pugilists, winning his first 24 bouts, all within two years of his debut. But his rise to prominence began when he took the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics in the super heavyweight bracket. In 2012, he decided to capitalize on how he became famous while benefitting the greater good.

He and his brother had already set up a charity for impoverished children in their home nation. Athletes raising money for the less fortunate is nothing new, of course. But Klitschko went above and beyond. He auctioned off his gold medal — something most people would never part with — more than enough amount of bid, with the money earmarked to go toward that cause.

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