Whilst most athletes probably go to the Olympics dreaming of going away with a gold, silver, or bronze medal, there is a fourth, much rarer, medal that they could win .

The Pierre de Coubertin medal is given to those who have depicted unbelievable sportsmanship during the games. It’s not a common occurrence, with only 17 having been awarded in the history of the games.

The medal was introduced in 1964 and named in honour of the founder of the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic Museum states that“it is one of the noblest accolade that can be bestowed upon an Olympic athlete.”

 Some of those who have won the medal have done some incredible things. Canadian sailor Lawrence Lemieuxabandoned his own finn class race in 1988, when placed second, to help two other sailors who had capsized.



Brazilian marathon runner Vanerlei de Lima is perhaps the most famous recipient. He was winning the marathon in the 2004 Athens Olympics when a protester assaulted him with six miles to go. As a outcome heslipped sown to third place. He was awarded the medal for his sportsmanship in accepting bronze after being so harshly cheated.

The first ever winner of the medal was Luz Long of Germany. He picked up the award posthumously after sending a strong message to Adolf Hitler during the course of its 1936 Olympics. Jesse Owens, who eventually won gold, had contaminated his first two attempts in the long jump and was in danger of exiting the competitor. Long pulled him aside and offered advice which helped Owens adavance in the competitor. In the end Long took silver behind Owens, and took the brave step of befriending Owens in front of Hitler.


Will anyone be awarded thePierre de Coubertin medal this year? The most likely candidate isYusra Mardini, the Syrian refugee who helpedto rescue 20 others during a riskycrossing of the Aegean Sea. The 18 -year-old represented the Refugee Olympic Athletes Team in Rio.

Is anyone else gutted that the Olympics are virtually over ?

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