Ex Olympic skater Surya Bonaly has been left heartbroken after thieves broke into her Las Vegas home and stole every medal she won during her celebrated skating career.
The 51-year-old French-born athlete,
who is currently battling breast cancer, discovered the devastating loss after returning from Minnesota, where she had been caring for her ailing mother, who is also fighting lung, breast, and sternum cancer.
As per to FOX 5 Vegas, the burglary occurred earlier this month at Bonaly's residence near Durango and Oakey. When she returned, she found her home ransacked - windows shattered, Wi-Fi lines severed, and security cameras deliberately destroyed. Among the stolen items were all her medals, representing over a decade of competitive excellence.
"You see all those medals I won in the past, they are sadly gone," Bonaly wrote in an emotional Instagram post.
Investigators revealed that the burglary wasn't a single break-in. Surveillance footage showed multiple people entering the property over several days - one wearing a black hoodie, another dressed in what appeared to be a delivery uniform. Bonaly later discovered a similar vest discarded nearby. "I think it's definitely organized by a company or some bad people," she told reporters.
The three-time Olympian was in Minnesota helping her mother through cancer treatments when the theft occurred. "European champion or world champion, junior, everything, any medals that I had with my skating," she said, describing what was stolen. "I feel mad. I feel like sometimes I want to cry. Some people just feel like it's better to steal something from someone than to go to work. "
Bonaly's stolen collection included five consecutive European Championship gold medals (1991-1995) and three World Championship silver medals (1993-1995). She also competed at three Winter Olympics, earning worldwide fame for her daring backflip landed on one blade at the 1998 Nagano Games - a move later banned in competition.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has launched an investigation. Bonaly has urged residents and pawn shops to stay alert. "I just hope I can find maybe some medals," she said. "I really pray that no one's gonna melt them. "
