Olympian Michael Diamond sells gold medal ahead of heart operation
Olympic shooter Michael Diamond is selling his gold medal from the 1996 Atlanta Games after suffering from a heart failure.
The 47-year-old said he is currently awaiting a heart transplant at a Newcastle hospital following a “bizarre and alarming” diagnosis.
“This is the greatest fight of my life,” he told New Idea.
Diamond said he started noticing his health problems a month ago after suffering shortness of breath. An ultrasound at Gosford Hospital revealed that Diamond’s heart was functioning at just 15 per cent.
“They told me I’m actually in line for a heart transplant,” he said. “I thought, I’m too young for that.”
Diamond missed the selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics after he was charged with high-range drink driving, firearm offences and domestic violence offences. The conviction saw him banned from holding a firearm’s licence until 2017, when he successfully appealed against the conviction in Newcastle District Court.
In the same year, the former champion sold his gold medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics to pay for the legal bills for $72,000.
Auction house Leonard Joel announced on Monday that Diamond’s Atlanta medal would be auctioned on December 5. It is estimated to bring between $50,000 and $70,000.
“I still have bills and I’ve still got to survive,” Diamond said. “It’s a pretty sobering feeling to have your heart fail on you … It puts things into check.
“I do want to hang around. I want to see my kids get older and get married and I want to have grandchildren. I’d be very grateful for life.”