{
  "id": 11609479,
  "title": "Priceless history, painful reality: The mega champions who were forced to sell their medals to survive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/priceless-history-painful-reality-the-mega-champions-who-were-forced",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/2026-10-03-priceless-history-painful-reality-the-mega-champions-who-were-forced-to-sell-their-medals-to-survive/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two former rugby stars, Lawrence Dallaglio and Adriaan Richter, are among a number of athletes who have had to sell their championship medals to survive financially. Dallaglio, a 54-year-old England captain, revealed he is auctioning his 2003 Rugby World Cup medal after being declared bankrupt. Richter, a 59-year-old Springbok No 8, sold his 1995 World Cup medal due to his inability to find work. Both Dallaglio and Richter's stories highlight the financial struggles that can come after the end of an athlete's career. Their medals, which represent the pinnacle of their careers, have become financial assets rather than symbols of past glory. The cautionary tales of these athletes serve as a reminder that sporting immortality does not guarantee financial security.",
  "summary": "From Lawrence Dallaglio to Adriaan Richter, the sale of World Cup winner’s medals offers a sobering look at how sporting immortality fails to guarantee financial survival once the applause fades.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}