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The
rarest
medal in the Olympics wasn’t created from gold, but a bolt.
The story begins on a cold, winter
afternoon in Innsbruck at the 1964 Olympic two-man bobsled competition. A
British team driven by Tony Nash had just completed its first run, which
had put them in second place. Then they made a most disheartening
discovery. They had broken a bolt on the rear axle of their sled, which
would put them out of the competition.
At the bottom of the hill, the great
Italian bobsled driver, Eugenio Monti, who was in first place, heard of
their plight. Without hesitation, Monti removed the bolt from the rear
axle of his own sled and sent it to the top of the hill. The British team
affixed it to their sled and then completed their run down the mountain,
winning the gold medal. Monti’s Italian team took the bronze.
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When asked about his act of
sportsmanship, Eugenio Monti deflected any praise, saying, “Tony Nash
did not win because I gave him a bolt. Tony Nash won because he was the
best driver.”
The story of Monti’s selfless act
spread. And because of it he was given the first De Coubertin Medal for
Sportsmanship. The award, named after the founder of the modern Olympics,
is one of the noblest honors that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete.
In other words, the most precious
hardware any Olympian can own. Celebrate humanity.
© 2001 I.O.C.
Make time to watch
this winter’s Olympics with your family. Be sure your children
understand that the events are truly special not because of who wins, but
for the fact that for a short time, the whole world joins together in
friendly competition. Appreciate the beauty and athletism of the men and
women involved, and emphasize the sportsmanship of the competitors. The
lesson is one that applies not just to sports, but to everyday life. |
