Olympian’s touching gesture for Ukraine’s children

Olympic medalist Tony Martin is auctioning off the silver medal he won at London 2012 to raise funds for children in Ukraine.

In an Instagram post, the German cyclist said it felt wrong “to sit on the couch and accept the situation” after seeing pictures of what has been happening in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion.

He said money raised from the auction would go to Wir helfen Kindern — a foundation that would support the children and their families.

“I pay my deepest respect to everybody who helps the people that need to be protected the most: the Ukrainian kids and their families,” he wrote. “I also want to do my small part and help.”

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“It’s not easy to separate me from the biggest trophy I could win in my career but considering the fact that millions of people lost almost everything, it is something I really want to do.”

At least 4.3 million children displaced

Martin, who retired in 2021, was one of the best time-trial cyclists in the world during his career and won four world titles.

But it was his silver medal won during the time trial event at London 2012 that was the most special.

The online auction to win that medal runs until April 9 with the current bid standing at over $14,000.

One in every two Ukrainian children has been displaced since Russia began its invasion on February 24, according to a statement from the UN Children’s Fund.

UNICEF’s statement added that 4.3 million children have been displaced, which represents more than half of Ukraine’s estimated 7.5 million child population.

This figure includes over 1.8 million children who have crossed into neighbouring countries as refugees, and 2.5 million children who are also internally displaced in Ukraine, the statement said.

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