Winner's medal issued for the Paris 1900 Olympics, awarded to Napoleon Legrand, Jr. from the Sauveteurs De L’Oise club. Gilt silver, 42 mm x 60 mm, 57 gm, by Frederic Vernon, Paris. The front, inscribed "Republique Francaise, Exposition Universelle, Paris 1900," features a winged goddess scattering laurels over the grounds of the Exposition; the reverse identifies the sport as the water rescue competition, "Concours de Sauvetage Sur L'Eau," and depicts a victorious athlete upon a podium. Stamped "Argent" on the edge; much of the gilt finish has worn away.
This markedly unique winner's medal is for the water lifesaving event, a competitive event for life guards which meets all requirements for an Olympic event. It remains a recognized international sport and features as an official discipline in the World Games; it is recognized by the IOC, but is not currently an Olympic event. According to the 1900 Olympic Games Official Report, there were rescue competitions on both land and in water, with the former event featuring fire pumps and first aid assistance to civilian and military casualties. The land competition was held in the Vincennes velodrome, and the water competition was held in the River Seine.
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