Mike Schoettle is living proof that patience is the best option. Just days before the opening ceremony in Paris 2024, the American sailor finally received his long-awaited gold medal from the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

Schoettle was an alternate member of the winning 5.5m 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 led by Britton Chance, along with twin brothers Ed and Sumner White,

Schoettle sailed in the sixth race, which the U.S. team won, but was deemed ineligible for a medal because he had not raced in the seventh and final race of the event. After six races, Norway was the overall leader in the 16-boat fleet, but when the U.S. also won the final race, Norway had to finish third for the gold medal. When Norway finished fourth, they dropped to second place and the gold went to the U.S. team.

Schoettle’s son Will asked US Sailing to help file a petition that World Sailing reconsider the issue, along with his friend Richard Young. In February 2023, the federation enlisted the help of David Tillett AM, chairman of the Constitution Committee, who examined the 1952 North American Yacht Racing Union (NAYRU) rules and concluded that there was no reason why Schoettle should not be awarded a medal.

World Sailing presented all the information to the IOC and they agreed that Schoettle was entitled to a gold medal for his role in the victory. The decision was confirmed at the IOC Executive Board meeting in June 2023, with Schoettle receiving the medal at a special ceremony when the LA84 Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary in Los Angeles on July 14, 2024.

“We are very proud to have played a part in recognizing his achievement and his role on the winning team,” said David Graham, Chief Executive Officer of World Sailing. “The entire global sailing community congratulates him for his important role in the Olympic Movement and his family for their perseverance and determination to see his piece of sailing history recognized.”

Will Schoettle added, “My father has been involved with US Sailing for over 40 years, including crewing on the gold medal winning boat Complex II in 1952, joining the team as a reserve 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 9 of the 10 events. It’s wonderful for him to finally receive the medal he won all those years ago when he was only 15!”

Source: US Sailing