Piotr Malachowski is using his latest Olympic achievement, a silver medal, in an attempt to save a boy’s eyes.
The Polish discus thrower won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but instead of hanging the medal in a trophy case or proudly wearing it around Poland, he’s instead selling it for good reason. Malachowski announced on his Facebook page that he’s auctioning off his silver medal to help pay treatment for an ill boy.
Malachowski hopes to raise $126,000 to fund the treatment for three-year-old Olek Syzmanski who suffers from retinoblastoma. If given the treatment, the boy’s eyes could be saved, but it’s not offered in Poland.
The discus thrower called for help to raise money for the boy’s help.
“In Rio I fought for gold,” Malachowski said on his Facebook profile. “Today I call on all people – let us fight together for something that is even more valuable. For the health of this fantastic boy.” (H/T Yahoo Sports for translation)
It’s an incredibly selfless act of kindness for Malachowski. He worked extraordinarily hard to win the medal and auctioning it off immediately to help the well-being of a youngster is an amazing gesture. The silver medal is the second of Malachowski’s career. The 33-year-old also won silver in discus throw in 2008.
Malachowski wrote on his Facebook page, “If you help me, my silver medal may be more valuable for Olek than Gold.” He’s right. The chance of improving Olek’s health is worth more than any Olympic medal. Let’s hope the bidding gets crazy and Malachowski gets more than enough to help the youngster.
