O\u2019Connell said the support he received since the theft meant a great deal to him and his family. <\/p>\n
\u201cSince the medal was stolen, I\u2019ve been humbled by the level of support and goodwill to find a solution,\u201d O\u2019Connell said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful to the NZOC and the IOC for making this possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connell said the medal meant a \u201cgreat deal\u201d for his family\u2019s second and third generations. <\/p>\n
\u201cParticularly around Olympic time, the medal normally goes on school trips; it\u2019s really valuable to show kids what you can achieve, and the medal is a symbol of that,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids love handling it, they love touching it, they love putting it around their neck. If that inspires someone to do something, that\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite having a replacement medal, O\u2019Connell still hoped the original would resurface, as \u201cit\u2019s of no value to anyone else\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s someone out there who has the medal or knows something, please do the right thing and return it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The medal has been replaced after it was stolen during a burglary at his Christchurch home. Photo \/ NZ Olympic Committee<\/p>\n
New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Nicki Nicol said she was pleased to source a replacement for O\u2019Connell and his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cWinning an Olympic gold medal is something many athletes aspire to, but few have the honour of achieving,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re grateful to the IOC for helping replace this special taonga for Les.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese athletes helped shape New Zealand\u2019s sporting legacy and their achievements continue to inspire generations of New Zealanders.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connell had won the medal as part of New Zealand\u2019s men\u2019s coxless four at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games after consecutive world championship titles.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we head back to Los Angeles in 2028, we do so with pride, following in the footsteps of what Les and his crew achieved there in 1984,\u201d Nicol said. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not the first time a member of the winning coxless four team has had their gold medal stolen.<\/p>\n