Drew Ginn’s Olympic medals stolen from his car

A Windsor man is facing charges after he allegedly stole ‘Oarsome Foursome’ rower Drew Ginn’s medals but the medals have yet to be recovered.

A man has been charged after allegedly stealing four Olympic medals from rowing champion Drew Ginn’s car in Docklands.

The medals, including one silver and three gold, were hidden inside a sock in Mr Ginn’s black Land Rover when they were allegedly stolen on Cumberland St.

Police believed the prized possessions, along with a wetsuit, headphones and a Go Pro camera, were allegedly taken between 9pm on September 6 and 5am on September 7.

After a public plea from Mr Ginn, a Windsor man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon.

The 47-year-old was charged with theft from a motor vehicle, obtaining property by deception, obtaining financial advantage by deception and handling stolen goods.

He will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 29.

Mr Ginn said he forgot he left the medals in his car after taking them to a school speaking engagement 10 days prior.

The Oarsome Foursome member said it was “horrible” that his space was “violated”.

“It’s sad that I did a stupid thing and left them in my car,” he said.

Hall of Fame rower Drew Ginn pictured with his medals in 2018. Picture: Richard Jupe

“I like to trust people, trust people to do the right thing so in that regard it’s one of those things where you regret your own decisions.

“You treat your car like your home, to think that someone was in there with complete disregard was pretty appalling.”

Mr Ginn said the medals, won at four consecutive Olympics including Atlanta, Beijing, London and Sydney, did not have any monetary value.

The athlete said he was devastated he might never get to pass them down to his kids.

Rower Drew Ginn (L) with James Tomkins wearing gold medals after winning mens pairs final at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“You realise that 20-odd years of your life via the symbols of those medals are gone,” Mr Ginn said.

“You still have the memories but for me it’s the ability to hand those things over to my family.

“They are things that can’t be replaced.”

The medals and other items had not been recovered as of Wednesday afternoon.

Oarsome Foursome member Drew Ginn wears his gold medal from the Atlanta games.

Victoria Police Detective Sergeant Timothy Reiher said the medals could be in pawn shops or advertised for sale on social media.

“These are unbelievably rare items with significant sentimental value,” he said.

“Olympic medals are awarded to the best of the best and are priceless to their recipients.

“We ask that people look out for these medals in pawn shops and online selling platforms.”