Swimming champion auctions Olympic medals
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 19 May, 2014 CET.
Updated: Mon 19 May 2014 15:43 CET
A German swimming champion has sold her Olympic medals in an online auction to help pay off her €100,000 debts.
Sandra Völker raised €28,000 for her silver medal for the 100 metres freestyle from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
The swimming champion’s two bronze medals from Atlanta were sold for €12,000 and €16,000 each, her swimsuit for €150 and a swimming lesson for €460.
The 40-year-old said: “It’s a great outcome and naturally I’m relieved. It’s a weight off my shoulders.”
Völker suffered from depression after her career ended and hit financial trouble over the purchase of a house. The former swimmer hit a low last year when she had to live off unemployment benefit Hartz IV for a few months.
She said the sum will help her get out of her €100,000 debts.
SEE ALSO: Skier beats cancer, returns to Winter Games
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Sandra Völker raised €28,000 for her silver medal for the 100 metres freestyle from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
The swimming champion’s two bronze medals from Atlanta were sold for €12,000 and €16,000 each, her swimsuit for €150 and a swimming lesson for €460.
The 40-year-old said: “It’s a great outcome and naturally I’m relieved. It’s a weight off my shoulders.”
Völker suffered from depression after her career ended and hit financial trouble over the purchase of a house. The former swimmer hit a low last year when she had to live off unemployment benefit Hartz IV for a few months.
She said the sum will help her get out of her €100,000 debts.
SEE ALSO: Skier beats cancer, returns to Winter Games
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