The 1935 International University Games, organized by the Confederation Internationale des Etudiants (CIE), were held August 10-18, 1935, in Budapest, Hungary. A total of 774 athletes from 26 nations participated in ten sporting events for both men and women, including Athletics (track & field). United States, Canada, China and Japan were among those competing nations in addition to pretty much every country from Europe. Germany led all nations with 24 medals (7 Gold, 9 Silver & 8 Bronze). In men’s long jump event on Aug. 16, Luz Long was runner-up with a jump of 7.39 meters (24.25 feet). The winner, Naoto Tajima of Japan would go on to win the bronze medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, sharing the podium with both Long and Jesse Owens. Luz was awarded this lovely second place winner’s medal made of 98.7% silver with gold-plating. Here are the details.
Maker/Designer: Istvan Madarassy
Obverse: Raised relief image of a naked male athlete in motion holding a laurel branch; maker hallmark on lower right.
Reverse: “VI NEMZETKÖZI JÁTÉKOK FOISKO-LAI BUDAPEST 1935 VI” (Sixth International University Games Budapest 1935) surrounding a caped man blowing a horn and holding a book in raised relief.
Composition: Gold-plated silver (“987” hallmark)
Diameter: 40 mm
Thickness: 2-3 mm
Weight: 31 g
Provenance: Letter from Luz Long's family