Polish Olympian and javelin thrower Maria Andrejczyk, who earned a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, demonstrated that the true measure of victory lies in human compassion by auctioning off her prized Olympic medal to fund life-saving heart surgery for a Polish infant.
The incredible act of selflessness unfolded when Maria, who is herself a cancer survivor, learned about Miłoszek Małysa, an 8-month-old boy with a serious heart defect who urgently required surgery in the United States. Recognizing the immense need, Maria put her medal—a symbol of her personal triumph over adversity and injury—up for auction.
The auction successfully raised a staggering $125,000, ensuring the necessary funds for Miłoszek’s procedure.
The winning bidder was Żabka, a popular Polish convenience store chain, but the story took an even more touching turn:
The Donation: Żabka honored the winning bid, ensuring the money went directly to the infant’s medical costs.
The Return: The company then announced they would return the silver medal to Maria, stating that the medal rightly belonged with “a heart of gold and a true Olympic spirit.”
Maria, overwhelmed by the company’s gesture, expressed her gratitude and pride, stating that the medal, which she called a “symbol of struggle, faith and pursuit of dreams,” would now also be a symbol of the life they fought for together.
Her extraordinary decision to prioritize a stranger’s life over her most treasured possession has restored faith in humanity, reminding the world that the truest champions are those who use their moments of glory to lift others up.
