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THB1972 Munich Summer Olympics Gold Winner's Medal Awarded to USA Swimmer Steve Genter for 4x200m Relay - Most Inspiring Story in Olympic History!
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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 the spring of 1972, UCLA undergrad Steve Genter emerged as a rising star on the national stage when he beat Mark Spitz in the 200-meter freestyle at the U.S. Spring Swimming Championships. Until then, Steve had balanced water polo and swimming in college, never dedicating himself solely to swimming year-round. Inspired by his coach's encouragement, however, he embarked on a rigorous training regimen in hopes of making the ’72 Olympics in Munich.
Genter’s Olympic journey was the stuff of legends. 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 soon escalated into a serious health scare. Upon arriving in Munich, he found himself fighting for breath with a gushy feeling in his chest. Genter was rushed to the hospital where tests revealed he had a collapsed lung. After performing an intense surgery, doctors inserted a chest tube to release the trapped air, with Genter himself assisting in the process by squeezing rubber inflation balls for five straight days as he lay bedridden. 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, with his lung inflated back to normal, 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 somehow place second overall in qualifying, finishing .13 of a second behind Mark Spitz. The finals were held that same evening (Aug. 29). Between races, Spitz tried to convince Steve to drop out, saying the risk wasn’t worth it. Steve chalked it up to gamesmanship, telling Mark, “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 inside. Yet, in a display of extraordinary willpower, he pushed his body seemingly 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 was able to out-touch Germany’s Werner Lampe for second place. Genter was immediately rushed back to the hospital to treat his internal bleeding and stabilize his lung.
Mark Spitz set a world record in the 200m Freestyle Final with a time of 1:52.78. It was one of his seven gold medals in Munich. To his credit, Genter would make the podium three times at the '72 Games. Two days after taking silver in the 200m free, he recovered enough to earn a gold medal in the 4x200m Relay for USA, splitting his third leg in 1.52.48 which was .30 faster than Spitz’s world-record time! Then, on September 1st, he took bronze in the 400m Freestyle. Genter was later moved up to second place after USA's Rick DeMont was stripped of his gold for unknowingly having a banned substance in his asthma medication. In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship, Steve Genter refused to accept his newly awarded silver medal in the 400m, instead receiving a lifetime ban from Olympic competition – all in support of his teammate.
Demonstrating a level of athleticism, courage and comradery equal to a great war hero, Steve Genter exemplified 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 in Munich were almost completely overshadowed 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 gold winner’s medal weighs 216 grams (chain included). The front 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 4x200m Freistil Herren" [Swim 4x200m Freestyle Men]. Designed by Gerhard Marcks and Giuseppe Cassioli, it was 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. (Rome medals featured a necklace.)
The chain and loop present as issued, while the medal made of gilt silver retains its golden shine with the gold-plating showing very little fading. Handling and wear are both minor. Wonderfully 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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