Olympic champion gives away gold medal: “Hope in a dark hour”

No one could hold a candle to him over 5.000 meters or over 10.000 meters. However, van der Poel is shocked by his triumph. “Sweden left the Olympics with 18 medals. But we also left a Swedish citizen behind,” he said in a statement on social media.

He was referring to Gui Minhai. The bookseller and author, who also criticizes the Chinese leadership in his books, was sentenced to ten years in prison in China in February 2020. The reason: espionage. This issue regularly comes to the fore in Sweden; Foreign Minister Anna Linde recently called for the Swedish citizen to be released: “We strongly insist that Gui Minhai be released and be able to return to his family.” Van der Poel: “Dreams as a political weapon” As a sign of his solidarity, van der Poel handed over one of his recently won gold medals to Gui's daughter Angela. He wanted to draw attention not only to the Swede's case, but also to the human rights situation in China. “I want human rights violations in China to be reduced and Gui Minhai to be released. “It’s asking a lot, but it’s the only sensible thing you can ask for,” explained van der Poel. Van der Poel together with Angela Minhai. © APA/afp / HANDOUT

During the Winter Games, the Olympic champion felt exploited. The major event was used by China to use the athletes' extraordinary achievements to clear its own guilt and to divert the focus from the political situation.

“Me and my sports friends have spent our lives striving for the top, and the Chinese government is using our dreams as a political weapon to legitimize their regime. “It became personal for me and I felt used,” van der Poel continued. “The Chinese government is using our dreams as a political weapon to legitimize its regime. It became personal for me and I felt used.” Nils van der Poel Now the Swede set an example and supported the movement to release Minhai. “I hope that this can be a spark of solidarity and hope in this dark hour,” he underlined. It remains to be seen whether this spark can ultimately turn into a fire.

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Olympic champion gives away gold medal: “Hope in a dark hour”

Speed skater Nils van der Poel won two gold medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Now the Swede turned to the public with a special message - and gave away his gold medal.

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Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Olympic champion gives away gold medal: “Hope in a dark hour”

Speed ​​skater Nils van der Poel won two gold medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Now the Swede turned to the public with a special message - and gave away his gold medal.

Suggestions

Comments (0)

Speed skater Nils van der Poel won two gold medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Now the Swede turned to the public with a special message - and gave away his gold medal.