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1956 Melbourne - The Tony Marchant Collection: Tony Marchant's…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
6-Nov-2008
Lot No.
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Description:
1956 Melbourne - The Tony Marchant Collection: Tony Marchant's 1956 Melbourne Olympics Gold Medal, for First place in the 2000m Tandem Cycling, in original presentation case (some repairs). Designed by Giuseppi Cassioli, minted by K.G.Luke of Melbourne, 52 mm diameter. Fine condition. Together with 'Diploma, Olympic Games Melbourne 1956' inscribed 'First, Cycling - 2,000 M Tandem, A.Marchant', and with printed signatures of Avery Brundage (Ioc President), Robert Menzies (President of the Games & Australian Prime Minister) & W.S.Kent Hughes (Chairman of the Organizing Committee), framed & glazed, overall 58 x 44 cm. (2 items) Tony Marchant & Ian Browne One of the most surprising gold medals ever won by Australia was that of Victorians Ian Browne & Tony Marchant in the 2000 metre cycling tandem at Melbourne in 1956. Although they had won the Australian championship earlier that year, they had little international experience in the tandem event and were expected to struggle against the strong European teams. In the heat of the tandem, Ian and Tony performed as expected, finishing last of the three teams. Then they lost to Czechoslovakia in the repercharge. That should have been the end of the Australians. However, a crash between the German and Soviet teams in one of the other repercharges meant the Soviet team could not stay in the event. Officials decided to allow the eliminated Australian and American teams to race against the Germans, and Australia proved to be a surprise winner. The win against Germany boosted the Australians' confidence. Cheered on by the home crowd, the pair went on to beat South Africa in the quarter final, Italy in the semifinal, and Czechoslovakia in the final. So a team that should have been eliminated went on to win gold. [ex 'Australian Olympic Gold Medallists - The Golden Years 1956-1964' by Brasch]
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified