In Melbourne, four Olympic medals—three of them gold—from Drew Ginn, a member of Australia’s famed “Oarsome Foursome” rowing team, have been stolen from his car. The medals were taken from a Land Rover parked on Cumberland Street in Docklands last week.
Victoria Police reported that the theft occurred between 9 p.m. on Thursday and 5 a.m. on Friday. Along with the medals, a GoPro camera, headphones, and a wetsuit were also stolen. Ginn had left the medals in his vehicle while he attended a speaking engagement at a local school.
Detective Sergeant Timothy Reiher from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit emphasized the rarity and sentimental value of the medals, stating, “Olympic medals are awarded to the best of the best and are priceless to their recipients.” He urged the public to be on the lookout for the medals in pawn shops and online marketplaces.
Ginn expressed his hope that the medals would be returned, highlighting their immense personal value to his family and friends. He noted that while the medals were hidden in the car, the vehicle was thoroughly ransacked, resulting in significant damage.
The medals were earned by Ginn over a 16-year span, starting at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and extending through the London Olympics in 2012. Police have released a photo of the medals as part of their investigation into the theft.