Former Figure Skater Surya Bonaly’s Medals Stolen

Surya Bonaly, a former Olympic figure skater, had her medals taken from her home in Las Vegas by two thieves while she was looking after her mother, who is battling cancer.

The 51-year-old Bonaly, originally from France, is reaching out to the public and local pawnshops for assistance in locating her stolen medals, as she shared on social media.

“All the medals I earned in various world and European championships are now gone. Just a few days ago, a couple broke into my place and took everything of value,” she shared.

She warned Las Vegas residents and pawnshops to be vigilant, specifically if they come across foreign gold or silver medals for sale, urging them to contact the police immediately.

Security camera footage revealed what Bonaly believes was a planned robbery. The recordings showed different individuals arriving each day, smashing windows, tampering with cameras, and disconnecting Wi-Fi while intruding.

In one instance, a person wearing a black hoodie entered the house alongside a woman dressed in what looked like a delivery vest.

Bonaly expressed her suspicion that the robbery was likely orchestrated by a group of organized criminals.

At the time of the break-in, Bonaly was in Minnesota caring for her mother, who is facing multiple health battles.

Upon returning three days later, she discovered her home had been completely ransacked, leading to the sorrowful realization that her medals, which she had earned from 1989 to 1995, were gone.

“I had European champion, world champion, junior medals—everything I achieved in skating,” Bonaly reflected.

With five European titles and nine French national championships, Bonaly noted that each medal marks significant moments from her career.

Recalling one memorable presentation, she said, “I was honored when the president of France handed me one.” The loss has left her feeling both angered and heartbroken.

“It’s just so frustrating. Sometimes, I feel like crying,” she admitted. “It seems some people would rather steal than work for their own.”

Interestingly, Bonaly found a vest similar to the one worn by the female accomplice just across the street from her home.

Despite her heartbreak over the lost medals, she intends to remain in her neighborhood, loving the area but also planning to boost her home security with more cameras.

“I really hope to recover a medal—I just pray I don’t see one for sale somewhere. That would be devastating,” she stated.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the theft.

Born in Nice, France, Bonaly was adopted when she was just eight months old. From a young age, she trained rigorously to become an accomplished figure skater and represented France in the 1992, 1994, and 1998 Winter Olympics.

Bonaly became renowned in the 1990s for her acrobatic style, including signature backflips that were against competition rules. Her standout moment came during the 1998 Nagano Olympics when she executed a backflip landing on one foot—an unprecedented feat.

Although penalized for the move, it’s hailed as one of the sport’s most audacious moments. Looking back now, she feels an increased sense of pride about her achievements.

“I appreciate it more now than I did back then,” she shared. “I feel prouder of myself today than I did at the time.”

Though Bonaly didn’t win an Olympic medal, she nearly made it in 1994, finishing in fourth place.