RUSSIA/FILE: WINTER OLYMPICS - SOCHI 2014 - Russian region of Chelyabinsk wants to present meteoric medals to winning athletes at the Sochi Olympics

Record ID: 217231

  • Title: RUSSIA/FILE: WINTER OLYMPICS - SOCHI 2014 - Russian region of Chelyabinsk wants to present meteoric medals to winning athletes at the Sochi Olympics
  • Date: 16th February 2014
  • Summary: SOCHI, RUSSIA (FEBRUARY 16, 2014) (REUTERS) CHELYABINSK REGION STAND IN RUSSIAN FEDERATIONS EXHIBITION METEORITE IN GLASS BOX
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Environment,General,Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEWTELTDYUU1T9J3CBD9XCETZT
  • Story Text: They really are out of this world. Medals made with parts of the meteor which exploded over Chelyabinsk were to be presented to winning athletes at the Sochi Olympic Games.
    But then the International Olympic Committee said the plans were also outside the rules - leaving the meteoric medals out in the cold.
    A large piece of meteorite, and the medals, have now gone on show in Sochi, attracting Olympic spectators and fans.
    The fireball, travelling at a speed of 30 km (19 miles) per second, exploded on February 15, 2013 over Chelyabinsk, some 1,500 km (950 miles) east of Moscow, injuring 1,200 people following a massive shock wave.
    Chelyabinsk region officials had wanted to mark the anniversary by giving athletes who won a medal at the Olympics on Saturday a piece of meteorite - until the IOC said no. Only official medals can be presented to Olympians during the Olympics, and anything else is counted simply as a souvenir and has to be presented after the Games and separately.
    Evgeniya Dukhina, spokeswoman for the Chelyabinsk region said the fragment of meteorite, and the medals, were proving popular exhibits as so many people around the world saw video pictures of the fireball in the sky.
    "Well it was broadcast all over the world and everybody was excited, people were calling from all over the world to find out what was going on. It's a big deal, and it's interesting and not usual. It's not diamonds, but something very unusual," she said at the exhibition on Sunday (February 16).
    She said they were taking the Olympic set-back in their stride though - after all, with the right sporting achievements it was possible to get Olympic medals at other Games, whereas their medals could not be got anywhere else on earth.
    "They're probably very unusual, people get very excited about these because it is not from our planet, mostly, and you cannot get it, it is a one-time thing," Dukhina said.
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