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THB1972 Munich Summer Olympics Bronze Winner's Medal Awarded to USA Swimmer Steve Genter for 400m Freestyle - Amazing Story of Courage & Sportsmanship!
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About Auction
TimedNov 6, 2024 - Nov 23, 2024
SCP Auctions, Inc. customerservice@scpauctions.com
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- Lot Description
The Munich Massacre, Mark Spitz’s seven gold medals, and the controversial ending of the USA-USSR Men’s Basketball Final got all the headlines at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Given the weight of these events, it's no surprise that American swimmer Steve Genter did not get the recognition he deserved for his inspiring performances, both in and out of the pool. The award-winning docu-series, Beyond Bronze, Silver and Gold, showcases Genter's amazing story in its 2021 episode, "Conviction." We hope collectors fully grasp the significance of the three '72 Munich medals won by a man with more conviction than perhaps any other in Olympic history.
In 1972, UCLA undergrad Steve Genter emerged as a rising star when he beat Mark Spitz in the 200-meter freestyle at the U.S. Spring Swimming Championships. Until then, Steve had never dedicated himself fully to swimming year-round. Inspired by his coach, however, he embarked on a rigorous training regimen in hopes of making the ’72 Olympics. At the U.S. Olympic Trials in August of ‘72, he battled a sinus infection but was able to qualify in two individual events, the 200 and 400 free. Shortly after settling into Olympic training camp, he developed a fever and cough that escalated into a serious health scare. Upon arriving in Munich, he found himself fighting for breath. Genter was rushed to the hospital where tests revealed he had a collapsed lung. After surgery, doctors inserted a chest tube to release the trapped air as Genter lay bedridden for five straight days. Determined to swim, Genter refused pain medication out of fear it might contain a banned substance. On the eve of his 200-meter freestyle event, he was finally released and allowed to compete, but only with lifesaving equipment and doctors present.
The next morning, Steve Genter fought through agonizing pain to place second overall in qualifying, finishing .13 of a second behind Spitz. The finals were held that same evening (Aug. 29). Between races, Spitz tried to convince Steve to drop out. Steve chalked it up to gamesmanship, telling him, “Look, there’s one gold medal on the line tonight, and I’m coming for it, so watch your back.”
In the finals, Genter faced a life-threatening scenario. As he came into the final turn leading the race, his internal stitches ripped open causing him to begin bleeding out. In a display of extraordinary willpower, he pushed his body beyond its limits, swimming the last 100 meters in a blackout. Genter said he could not remember a thing until the last 10 meters when he came to and out-touched Germany’s Werner Lampe for second place. Genter was immediately rushed back to the hospital to treat his internal bleeding and stabilize his lung.
Spitz set a world record in the 200m Freestyle Final, one of seven gold medals he won in Munich. To his credit, Genter would make the podium three times at the '72 Games. Two days after miraculously taking silver in the 200m free, he won gold in the 4x200m Relay for USA, splitting his third leg faster than Spitz’s world-record time! Then, on September 1st, Genter finished third in the 400m Freestyle, with USA teammate Rick DeMont winning gold and Australia’s Brad Cooper taking silver. Genter’s bronze medal is remarkable not just for his achievement but for the integrity behind it. Later, Genter was declared the second-place finisher when the IOC stripped DeMont of his gold due to unknowingly having a banned substance in his asthma medication. Given the choice to return his bronze and accept silver or risk a lifetime ban from Olympic competition forever, Genter chose to keep his bronze, standing by his friend and teammate.
Demonstrating an unprecedented combination of athleticism, courage and sportsmanship, Steve Genter embodied the true essence of the Olympic spirit, overcoming unimaginable odds to compete before giving up his dream in support of a teammate’s injustice. Unfortunately, Genter’s inspirational story and three medals were almost completely overshadowed in Munich by Spitz’s haul and the terrorist attack that took the lives of 11 Israeli team members.
Measuring 66 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick, Genter’s bronze winner’s medal weighs 180 grams (chain included). The obverse reads "XX. Olympiade Munchen 1972" and depicts a seated Victory with the Colosseum in the background. The reverse portrays mythological twins Castor and Pollux, the patrons of competitive sport and friendship, with the artist's monogram below. The edge is engraved with the event (running counterclockwise between 3 and 12 o’clock), "Schwimmen 400m Freistil Herren" [Swim 400m Freestyle Men]. It marked the first winner’s medal since 1928 with a different layout on the reverse. It was also the first to bear a chain for wearing around the neck.
The chain and loop present as issued, while the bronze medal retains a nice texture and elegant patina showing light wear from age and handling. The reverse has some dark surface spotting. Well-preserved in EF condition, it comes from a lifelong family friend of Genter’s who received all three medals as a gift. Letter of provenance included.
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