The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 39, September 11, 2005, Article 21

STOLEN MEDALS RETURNED TO SWIMMING MUSEUM

In earlier E-Sylum issues we reported on the theft of a number
of medals from a museum in Florida. On September 9th The Miami
Herald reported that "Dozens of medals and other memorabilia
stolen from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort
Lauderdale were returned Thursday in a ceremony.

Forty years ago, at the opening of the International Swimming
Hall of Fame, Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller proudly
turned over his prized medals for display, hoping they would
become symbols that would inspire generations of young athletes
to strive.

''It is here where I will keep my swimming memorabilia, tell
stories of my days in swimming and the movies and offer my
services towards the pursuit of helping each youngster pursue
their dreams,'' said the five-time Olympic champion and Tarzan
actor, who worked at the museum in the 1960s and 70s.

But last year, with the waterfront shrine in Fort Lauderdale in
disrepair and its showcases crumbling, those medals and countless
other pieces of our nation's swimming history were lost, stolen
along with other treasures that dated back to the 1896 Olympic
Games in Athens, the first Olympiad of modern times.

On Thursday, seven-time Olympic gold medalist Mark Spitz,
one of the hall's newest board members, was on hand for the
return of several dozen medals swiped in an elaborate caper
police say was pulled off by a janitor."

"Spitz, a Los Angeles stockbroker, hopes to use his clout to
attract more supporters as well as corporate sponsors to
share the museum's name.

The still-solidly built swimmer said he didn't mind that several
reporters didn't know who he was.

''New generation, I guess. The important thing is that we're
getting the museum back on its feet,'' said Spitz.

Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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