In a world where people guard their Olympic medals like buried treasure, one Polish athlete stunned the globe by giving hers away—just days after winning it. Maria Andrejczyk, a javelin thrower with a heart as powerful as her arm, gave up her Tokyo 2020 silver medal to help save a baby she didn’t even know. She auctioned off her most prized possession, not for glory, not for fame, but for a sick child in need of a life-saving heart surgery. And what happened next was even more unbelievable.
The Silver That Turned to Gold
Only weeks after stepping onto the Olympic podium in Tokyo, Maria shocked fans when she announced she would auction her silver medal. The goal? To raise money for an eight-month-old boy, Miloszek Malysa, who needed urgent surgery in the United States for a severe heart defect.
Most athletes train their whole lives for that moment of glory, to wear a medal around their neck. But Maria had already been through battles that made her value life more than metal. Years before, she had overcome bone cancer and a shoulder injury that nearly ended her career. She knew what fighting for life felt like.
When she learned about Miloszek’s condition through an online fundraiser, she didn’t hesitate. She believed her medal could become something far more valuable—a lifeline for a child.
The Bidding War that Melted Hearts
The auction quickly caught fire. Supporters around Poland and beyond shared the story, and the amount grew rapidly. It finally reached 125,000 US dollars. The winning bid came from Żabka, a Polish convenience store chain known for backing charitable causes. They didn’t just donate. They made a grand gesture.
After winning the medal, Żabka gave it back to Maria, saying she had earned it and deserved to keep it. Their message was clear: her act of kindness mattered more than any symbol of victory. Maria accepted the medal with tears in her eyes. To her, the real reward was Miloszek getting the surgery he needed.
Fighting on the Field and Off It
Maria’s act wasn’t a one-time show. Her career had already shown that she was no stranger to pain, recovery and pushing limits. In 2016, she finished fourth at the Rio Olympics, just shy of a medal. Then came cancer, surgeries and months of rehabilitation. But she came back, stronger and determined.
Her silver medal in Tokyo wasn’t just a win. It was proof that resilience can throw farther than doubt. Yet, even that moment of personal triumph wasn’t enough to stop her from putting someone else first.
Since the auction, Maria has continued to compete. She placed in major international competitions, including the 2022 World Championships and the 2024 European Athletics Championships. She even made it to the finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing eighth with a strong 62.44-metre throw. But her place in history was already sealed—not by records, but by her rare compassion.
Not Just an Athlete, a Hero
Maria’s choice made headlines, but more than that, it touched hearts. In a time when news cycles spin with scandals and losses, her story stood out like a burst of sunshine. She showed that true strength doesn’t only live in muscles. It lives in courage, in kindness, in sacrifice.
Żabka’s decision to return the medal added another layer of good to a story already brimming with hope. Together, they reminded the world that even in competitive arenas, there is space for compassion. That a piece of metal can mean so much more when used to lift someone else.
The Lasting Impact
Miloszek received his surgery. He survived. And while Maria still holds the silver medal in her hands, what she did made her golden in the eyes of many. Her selfless act became a source of pride in Poland and a symbol of what humanity can look like at its best.
From fighting cancer to saving a life, from throwing javelins to throwing support behind a family she’d never met, Maria Andrejczyk isn’t just an athlete. She’s a symbol of how greatness comes in many forms—and sometimes, it means letting go of the thing you worked the hardest for, just to give someone else a chance to live.
