Considering all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to get to the Olympics, let alone win a medal once there, I would expect any athlete who got a prize to display it in one of those fancy display cases, complete with spotlight. But that's definitely not the case for Polish windsurfer and bronze medalist, Zofia Noceti-Klepacka. In a truly selfless and heartwarming act, __Noceti-Klepacka is auctioning off her hard-earned medal and donating the proceeds to the family of her 5-year-old neighbo__r, Zuzia, who suffers from cystic fibrosis.
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Zuzia's relatives have been struggling to pay for the little girl's medication and operations so before leaving for this summer's games, Noceti-Klepacka promised that if she won a medal, she would use it to help them out. And obviously she is a woman of her word! She explained the reasoning behind her commitment to Polskie Radio, saying:
I know her since birth. I've seen…how many times [she] was in the hospital, she spent much time there, her mom. Everyone here is praying that Zuzia survives….cystic fibrosis is a fatal disease and I said that I was going to London after the medal for her.
Wow, what an inspiring woman! After all her hard work, it's probably not the easiest thing in the world to part with her medal, but I love that Noceti-Klepacka is keeping her promise anyway. Her actions prove that while her athletic accomplishments may be amazing, it's kindness and heart that truly differentiates a person.
What do you think of Noceti-Klepacka's decision? Tell us in the comments below!
Image via Getty
