Olympic medals stolen from a judo star two years ago have been recovered after they were put up for sale on an eBay-style auction site for just GBP 4.

The treasured bronze and silver medals had been pinched from Belgian athlete Gella Vandecavey's car in 2023 while it was parked outside a station.

The two Olympic medals that were stolen and then posted online to sell, undated. They were later returned by the police in Belgium to their owner, judoka Gella Vandecaveye. Note: Picture is taken from social media. (@gella_vandecaveye/Newsflash/NX)

But Gella, who feared they were lost forever, was amazed when she received a call from a respected medal collector when he spotted a listing on the Belgian sale site 2dehands.be.

The ad, with a EUR 5 starting bid described one part of the lot as: "Silver original medal from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta with box."

Gella's bronze medal from the 2000 Atlanta Olympics was also listed in the lot which had reached an astonishing bid of EUR 10 million.

Gella Vandecaveye poses in undated photo. Her two Olympic medals were stolen and later found by police as they were being sold online. Note: Picture is taken from social media. (@gella_vandecaveye/Newsflash/NX)

She immediately contacted police telling her Facebook followers: "I am 300 per cent sure they are mine."

Belgian police tracked down both medals to an address in Antwerp on 4th May.

City prosecutors said: "The necessary steps are being taken to restore the medals to Mrs Vandecaveye.

"She and she alone is entitled to them after great sporting performances."

Police are understood to be quizzing the seller.

Gella Vandecaveye poses in undated photo. Her two Olympic medals were stolen and later found by police as they were being sold online. Note: Picture is taken from social media. (@gella_vandecaveye/Newsflash/NX)

Overjoyed Gella said: "My Olympic medals have been confiscated by the police and are now being handed over to the public prosecutor. The originals will be back home soon."

She added: "I received a massive response from people who did their own investigations and contacted the seller.

"Up to EUR 10 million were offered for the medals. It's crazy, but it's heartwarming that people are so sympathetic."

After her original medals were stolen Olympics officials arranged for Gella to receive replicas.

Gella Vandecaveye poses in undated photo. Her two Olympic medals were stolen and later found by police as they were being sold online. Note: Picture is taken from social media. (@gella_vandecaveye/Newsflash/NX)

She explained: "For me it is a great relief, although I was also satisfied with the replicas I had received.

"If I can keep them, I will give the replicas to my trainer Eddy Vinckier. He also worked hard for them."

But Gella says she had no plans to lock the medals away.

She said: "I'm going to take care of them like I did before, and I'm going to share them with people again. There's no point in keeping them hidden in a safe."

(MJ Leidig/newsX)