Michael Beaver Schoettle is living proof that good things come to those who wait. In impeccable timing, just days before the Paris opening ceremonies, the Olympic sailor finally received his long-awaited gold medal from the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. This special ceremony took place as the LA84 Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 14, 2024.
“It’s going into a lock box at the bank tomorrow,” a beaming Schoettle said upon receiving this coveted award. 
Michael Beaver Schoettle was an alternate member of the victorious US 5.5m Sailing Team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, 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.
Schoettle sailed in the sixth race, which the United States team won, but was deemed ineligible to receive a medal because he did not race in the seventh and final race of the event.
Schoettle’s son Will asked US Sailing to assist in making a request that World Sailing revisit the issue, along with his friend, Richard Young. In February 2023, the federation enlisted the help of David Tillett AM, Chair of the Constitution Committee, who examined the 1952 North American Yacht Racing Union (NAYRU) rules and concluded there was no reason why Schoettle should not be awarded a medal.
World Sai
ling presented all the information to the IOC, and they agreed Schoettle was entitled to receive a gold medal for his role in the win. The decision was confirmed at the IOC’s Executive Board meeting in June 2023.
Richard Jepsen, president of the US Sailing Board, asked Fred Hagedorn, who represents US Sailing at World Sailing for his assistance in keeping the momentum going during the process. Mr. Hagedorn said that “Mike is a long-time friend and colleague who richly deserves this recognition, it was an honor for US Sailing to be able to assist in seeing this outcome become reality.”
“We are very proud to have played a part in making sure his achievement is recognized and his role in the winning team acknowledged,” said David Graham, Chief Executive Officer of World Sailing. “The entire global sailing community congratulates him for playing an important part in the Olympic Movement and his family for their perseverance and determination to see his piece of sailing history recognized.”
The medal was presented to Schoettle at the 40th anniversary celebration of the LA84 Foundation in Los Angeles, California earlier this week, an
event peppered with luminaries including Carl Lewis, nine-time track and field Olympic gold medalist. The LA84 Foundation was established following the 1984 Olympic Games, honoring the achievement of the Games organizers for privately financing the event, a first in Olympic history that resulted in a profitable venture. Today, the foundation works to break down barriers to youth participation in sports.
“My father has been involved with US Sailing for over forty years, including crewing on the gold medal winning boat Complex II in 1952, going with the team as an alternate 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 out of 10 events,” shared Will Schoettle. “It is wonderful for him to finally receive the medal which he won all those years ago when he was just 15!”
Schoettle chimed in with great gratitude, sharing, “I greatly appreciate the efforts of Richard Young and my son, Will Schoettle, for tirelessly pursuing this on my behalf and the support of US Sailing, and the World Sailing legal team of David Tillett AM and Urvasi Naidoo.”
Follow along to watch Team USA go for gold: https://www.ussailing.org/olympics/#follow
