Former Gymnast Auctions Medals, Denies Rumours She Is Broke
Former Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut has sold off her medals and trophies in a weekend online sale by Heritage Auctions. However, Korbut has denied that she is broke.
Former Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut stunned the world at the 1972 Munich Olympics, when she was just 17, earning medals and hearts with her electrifying performance. She repeated her stellar performance a few years later at the Montreal Olympics. But today, reportedly burdened by financial crisis, Korbut has sold off her medals and trophies in a weekend online sale by Heritage Auctions. However, Korbut has denied that she is broke.
In her glorious career, the gymnast has had earned more than 32 medals worth USD 333,500 (INR 2.22 Crore), according to auction house spokesman Chris Ivy told Reuters on Monday.
Based in Arizona, Korbut has now auctioned her medals, including the memorable ones -- her team gold medal. She earned USD 66,000 by selling the top medal.
Korbut's gold medals from 1972 (Pic Credit: BBC)
“Medals saved Korbut from hunger,” reads the Gazeta.ru headline, the BBC reported.
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The 61-year-old inspiring gymnast moved to the United States in 1991. Having been one of the greatest motivators of all the time, popularly known as “the Sparrow from Minsk”, this pioneer now faces obstacles in living a proper day without any hassles.
She even sold off one of her performance leotards, her 1972 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and various Soviet medals and World Championship medals.
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Korbut's gold medals from 1972 (Pic Credit: BBC)/)