Speedskater Gilmore Junio made worldwide headlines when he stepped aside from the men’s 1000 meters at the 2014 Sochi Olympics so that Canadian teammate Denny Morrison could compete, a selfless act for which Junio today received a special commemorative, crowdfunded medal.
Morrison, who’s from B.C., fell during an earlier qualifying round. But after Junio stepped aside, Morrison got another chance, and went on to win a silver medal.
The “Thanks Gilmore” campaign to give Junio his own medal started with Toronto design agency Jacknife calling for fundraising on social media — and earning enough to get the medal made of gold, silver and maplewood.
(READ the story w/ photos from CBC – also WATCH video news clips of his Olympic gesture)
Story tip from Scott Walker