Warsaw
Completed

Wojciech Fortuna's Historic Olympic Gold Medal: A Permanent Display at the Museum of Sport and Tourism

Explore the legacy of Poland's first winter Olympic champion and the medal's impactful acquisition story.

Delve into the inspiring story behind Wojciech Fortuna's 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics gold medal, now a centerpiece in the Museum of Sport and Tourism. This significant acquisition was facilitated to provide crucial medical support for fellow athletes Nicholas Fairall and Natalia Czerwonka. The medal, symbolizing sporting heritage and profound sportsmanship, stands as a testament to Fortuna's remarkable achievement and generosity, displayed prominently with his skis.

About Wojciech Fortuna's Gold Medal at the Museum of Sport and Tourism at Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Wojciech Fortuna's Gold Medal at the Museum of Sport and Tourism at Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw

Exhibition summary

This entry marks the acquisition and placement of Wojciech Fortuna's historic Olympic gold medal from the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics into the Museum of Sport and Tourism's permanent exhibition. The medal was sold to fund medical treatment for athletes Nicholas Fairall and Natalia Czerwonka.

Curatorial context

On March 5, 2015, the Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw hosted a press conference announcing the acquisition of Wojciech Fortuna's gold medal from the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. The medal, which made Fortuna the first Polish winter sports Olympic champion with a sensational jump of 111 meters, was sold by the athlete to fund medical treatment for Nicholas Fairall and Natalia Czerwonka. The purchase was made by OTCF, the owner of the 4F sports apparel brand. The funds were split equally between Fairall, who suffered a fall on the ski jump, and Czerwonka, an Olympic speed skating medalist also undergoing rehabilitation. The gold medal was formally handed over to the Museum's Director, Tomasz Jagodziński, by Wojciech Fortuna and Igor Klaja, CEO of 4F. It is now displayed alongside Fortuna's ski jumping skis in the museum's permanent exhibition, symbolizing a significant addition to Poland's sporting heritage and a testament to sportsmanship.

Admission and ticket notes

The page indicates that ticketing and visitor information is available via the 'Visit' section of the museum's website. It does not specify separate ticketing for this display, implying it is part of general museum admission.

Wojciech Fortuna's Gold Medal at the Museum of Sport and Tourism key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Wojciech Fortuna's Gold Medal at the Museum of Sport and Tourism at Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw

Venue
Museum of Sport and Tourism
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Mar 5, 2015 – Mar 5, 2015
Artist line / attribution
Featuring Wojciech Fortuna, Nicholas Fairall, and Natalia Czerwonka, with the acquisition facilitated by Igor Klaja (CEO of 4F) and the medal presented to Tomasz Jagodziński (Director of the Museum of Sport and Tourism).
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