A Good News Story

Stolen gold Paralympic medal found TheStar.com - News - Stolen gold Paralympic medal found
Postal workers turn award in to police after it's left in a Downsview mailbox
January 21, 2007
Isabel Teotonio
Staff reporter

Paul Rosen, who paid with his leg and four years of gruelling training to bring home a gold medal from the Paralympics, was devastated when it was stolen at a charitable event last week.

But yesterday, he was reunited with his most prized possession and again able to take it home, thanks to a thief who turned out to have a conscience and dropped off the medal in a mailbox.

"This is amazing," said the goaltender for the Canadian Sledge Hockey Team while picking up his medal yesterday at a North York police station.

"The last week was crazy," said the 46-year-old from Thornhill, who won gold at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Turin, after making 18 saves to help Canada defeat Norway 3-0. "I haven't slept a lot, I lost some pounds and it was non-stop emotion."

The emotional rollercoaster began the previous Saturday, when Rosen was signing autographs at a fundraiser for spinal cord research at Downsview Park. He turned momentarily to retrieve something from his bag when the medal vanished, setting off a frantic search and garnering great media coverage.

Although Rosen believed the medal was "gone for good," he found comfort in the outpouring of public support and an offer by the International Paralympic Committee to replace the medal.

One of the most extraordinary moments last week came when Rosen received an email from Richard, a 9-year-old from Moncton, N.B., who offered to give the hockey star a gold medal he had won in a soccer tournament. "I was just blown away by that," said Rosen, who called Richard the next day to thank him, but urged the boy to keep his medal. "He's a great kid and that's what Canadians are all about. ... I'm proud to be Canadian right now."

Det. Const. Jason Tanham of 32 Division said the medal, which contains eight ounces of gold worth about $6,000, was dropped off in a Downsview mailbox. It was later discovered at the Central Sorting Station, where postal workers empty the mailbags. A staff member recognized it and notified police.

"I hold no grudges to whoever did this – you made a mistake," said Rosen, who works as a motivational speaker. "(You) gave it back and that's all that matters, but just don't do it again. Get out and do it yourself."

Rosen, who lost his right leg in 1999 after a severe infection, is no stranger to theft. In 2003, his artificial leg was stolen from his truck, which was parked at a hockey arena where he trained.

But that was never returned, he said, adding with a chuckle: "Somebody has an expensive flowerpot at home."