Michael Beaver Schoettle presented with Olympic gold medal over 70 years after US 5.5m Sailing Team victory in Helsinki

Mr Schoettle was an alternate member of the victorious US 5.5m Sailing Team but due to an interpretation of the rules at the time he was not awarded a medal at the Games – despite being listed as part of the winning crew. 

He sailed in the sixth race, which the United States team won, but was deemed ineligible because he did not race in the seventh and final race of the event.  

Prompted by Richard Young and Mr Schoettle’s son Will, World Sailing agreed to revisit the issue and concluded there was no reason why Michael Beaver Schoettle should not be awarded a medal. 

After presenting these findings to the IOC, it was agreed Mr Schoettle was entitled to receive a gold medal for his role in the win.  

Mr Schoettle received his medal at a ceremony organised by the LA84 Foundation in South Los Angeles, held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Games as the city looks forward to hosting the next Olympic Games.  

“It’s going into a lock box at the bank tomorrow,” Michael Schoettle joked, as he finally got to hold his medal. “I greatly appreciate the efforts of Richard Young and my son, Will Schoettle for tirelessly pursuing this on my behalf and the support of World Sailing team of David Tillett AM and Urvasi Naidoo.” 

Will Schoettle, Michael’s son, added, “My father has been involved with US Sailing for over forty years, including crewing on the gold medal winning boat Complex II in 1952, going with the team as an alternate in 1972, managing the competition on the water in 1984, and then acting as team leader in 1992 when the US Sailing Team won medals in nine out of 10 events. It is wonderful for him to finally receive the medal which he won all those years ago when he was just 15!” 

David Graham, Chief Executive Officer of World Sailing, said, “This is a great story for sailing and a long overdue moment for Michael Beaver Schoettle who received the medal he earned in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. We are very proud to have played a part in making sure his achievement is recognised and his role in the winning team acknowledged. The entire global sailing community congratulates him for playing an important part in the Olympic Movement and his family for their perseverance in seeing his piece of sailing history recognised.” 

Additional images courtesy of Axel Koester/Contributing Photographer, Leroy Hamilton/Photoham and Marcia Suzuki/LA84 Foundation.