They were the toast of the 1956 Australian Olympics after unexpectedly winning gold in the 2000m Tandem cycling event. After 50 years of enduring mateship they are offering their gold medals, and selected Olympic and sporting memorabilia, for sale in what is believed to be a world first.

Ian ‘Joey’ Browne and Tony ‘Tippy’ Marchant were eliminated after losing their first two races but earned a reprieve when the Soviet Union pair were hospitalised following a crash. The success that followed was unexpected, mostly by them!

Among the lots for sale are Olympic participation medals, Commonwealth Games memorabilia, and various items of clothing.

The dual Olympic gold medals are being offered for sale by Leski Auctions on Thursday, November 6th at 5.30pm. Each gold medal has a pre-sale estimate of AUD$40,000 - AUD$50,000.

“This is an inspiring story of two friends who effectively made a pact to sell their significant collection of Olympic and sporting memorabilia,” says Charles Leski. “This is Australian mateship writ large.”

NB: Both Browne and Marchant in a rare show of solidarity are putting up a total of 62 lots with a pre-sale estimate of between AUD$120,000 and AUD$150,000. Their tandem bike from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics is on permanent display at the National Sports Museum, Melbourne.

Source: PRNewswire