Poland’s Piotr Malachowski is auctioning his new Olympic silver medal to help save a three-year-old boy with a malignant form of cancer.
Double European discus champion Malachowski, 33, finished second (67.55m) behind Germany’s Christoph Harting (68.37m) on the first Saturday of the athletics action in Rio.
But he has revealed that he is turning his thoughts to Olek Szymanski from Luban after learning about his illness.
Malachowski wrote on his Facebook page: 'Winning an Olympic medal for an athlete is fulfilling a life’s dream. Gold is the most precious. I did everything in my power to get it. Unfortunately, this time it didn’t work but fate gave a chance to increase the value of my silver.'
Olek is suffering from Retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer, and needs treatment in the USA.
World champion Malachowski said: 'The only chance is therapy in New York. In Rio, I fought for the gold. Today, I appeal to everyone. Let’s fight together about something that is even more precious - the health of this fantastic boy. If you help me, my silver can be more precious than gold.'
The total needed is 480,000 Polish zlotys (around 111,434 Euros) and it’s still possible to bid for the medal.
Rio was the second time that Malachowski has won silver, adding this success to finishing second in Beijing 2008.
Last summer he became world champion in Beijing and last month, his throw of 67.06m saw him regain a European crown he first won in Barcelona 2010.
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