B.C. man’s unexpected discovery inspires Olympic connection in Japan

"It was wow!" Adam finds out how a Victoria man's shocking discovery online led to a meaningful connection with an Olympian in Japan.

John Watt was searching online for classic cars, when he happened upon the sale of some unexpected sports memorabilia.

“It was wow!” John says. “It was shock!”

It was vintage Olympic uniforms and international accolades.

“And I go, ‘What the heck? It’s Gary Beacom’s!‘” John says. “I saw him skate and he was unbelievable.”

Although Gary Beacom was one of our country’s top figure skaters — the Olympian won world championships, before touring the globe as a popular professional — it was someone unrelated to him selling his stuff online.

“The first reaction was to secure it and protect it.” John says his second thought was to get it all back to back to the athlete.

Although John didn’t know Gary, it felt like the right thing to do.

So, John bought the box full of athletic history — which included Team Canada clothing, dozens of badges and medals, plus the vinyl records the athlete would perform to — and started searching for Gary across Canada and the U.S. before finally tracking him down in Japan.

“Thank you, John Watt!,” Gary says from Tokyo. “It’s really nice. It’s touching.”

Gary says the collection was likely misplaced during his parents’ estate sale and he is grateful to see it again.

“It brings up some nice memories,” Gary smiles.

But his past pride and appreciation is tempered by a present perspective.

“The uniforms look so funny. It’s kind out of style,” Gary laughs at the 1980s fashion, before agreeing what they represent is timeless.

And John says the collection of memorabilia is filled with meaning.

“I recognize the (athlete’s) effort,” John says while packing up the items to send to Gary. “I recognize the sacrifice.”

Gary recognizes that earning all the stuff also required one to be sort of selfish, and the 65-year-old — who now coaches and teaches along with skating daily in Japan — has learned that achieving a happy life requires you to be more selfless.

“It’s sharing your time, your knowledge, and your resources,” Gary says.

Which is why this world-class athlete is so thankful for the efforts of a world-class guy — who may have paid hundreds to secure Gary’s stuff, but is giving it all back to him for free.

“It’s not really any effort,” John says. “It’s just a thought in your brain to be considerate, to be kind, and to be generous.”