As Auction Nears End, Olympic Medals of Ryan Lochte Commanding Impressive Bids; Proceeds to Aid Charity
Today, July 21, marks the final day of bidding for the various Olympic medals that Ryan Lochte has put on the block through RR Auction. The “Ryan Lochte Collection” first went up for bid on June 24, and the 12-time Olympic medalist plans to donate the proceeds to charity. At 6 o’clock, no new bids will be accepted from first-time bidders in the auction, although those already involved in the bidding process will enter an extended window for the memorabilia.
Here is a look at the latest bids for the various lots, as of Thursday afternoon. The combined total has already exceeded $100,000.
- The leading bid for Lochte’s first Olympic medal, the silver he won in the 200-meter individual medley at the 2004 Games in Athens, is $16,806.
- The top bid for two of Lochte’s bronze medals from the 2008 Olympic Games is $36,709. The medals were earned through third-place finishes in the 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley.
- The highest bid for the third lot, which features three Lochte Olympic medals, is $40,980. The medals in this lot include Lochte’s silver medal from the 200 IM, silver medal from the 400 freestyle relay and bronze medal from the 200 backstroke at the 2012 Olympics in London.
- The leading bid for Lochte’s 14K white gold Olympic ring is $5,454.
- The top bid for Lochte’s Breitling watch is $8,819.
Proceeds of the sale will benefit the Jorge Nation Foundation, a charity in South Florida that raises money to send children with terminal illnesses and their families on a dream destination trip. Lochte has worked with the foundation for the last decade.
“This year I really wanted to focus on giving back. I’m loving it,” Lochte told the Associated Press when news of the auction spread. “I’ve been teaming with my dad doing swim clinics and I’m coming out with my own sunscreen.”
Lochte’s career total of 12 Olympic medals ranks him second all-time among American athletes.
