A Slovakian athlete has declared her intention to commandeer Australia’s emu mascot once more, despite sparking a police investigation in Milano Cortina.
The audacious theft took place outside Australia’s accommodation in the Paralympic village, where the team mascot, Bruce the Emu, was snatched and kept captive by a Slovakian alpine skier.
Alexandra Rexova, who is visually impaired, was revealed to be the brains behind the operation, having deemed Australia’s mascot a stroke of good fortune.
In recent years, it has become somewhat of a tradition for rival nations to pilfer mascots within the village, and this isn’t the first time Australia has found itself a target.
Bruce, a five-foot-five emu with one leg, was held prisoner in Rexova’s bathroom for 48 hours before being safely returned to the Australian team’s lodgings, thanks to law enforcement’s efforts.
“We’ve seen you’re searching for your mascot,” read a ransom note left by Rexova.
“Do not fret. It is safe and well cared for. We honour the tradition of mascot snatching, and it will be back with you shortly.”
The ransom note left by Alexandra Rexova. Paralympics Australia
The Australian Paralympic team plastered posters around the premises seeking assistance in locating Bruce, who was last spotted donning a blue beanie.
A reward of one gold kangaroo pin was offered for any helpful information.
Officer Olivia Cruise from the Australian Federal Police, who was providing security for the Paralympic team, took charge of the mission to locate Bruce.
Allies such as Great Britain, Canada, and Germany stepped in to aid Cruise in tracking down Bruce’s whereabouts, with village security collaborating to review CCTV footage.
Italian police also joined the manhunt to ascertain Bruce’s location.
Two members of Slovakia’s team stealing Bruce the Emu. Paralympics Australia
Rexova later revealed that her audacious plot to steal Bruce stemmed from previous tales of his abduction during the village festivities at the upcoming 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
She enlisted the help of her two guides for the heist but never anticipated that their antics would trigger a police probe.
“There was a police officer outside trying to track it down,” she shared with Paralympic Australia.
At one point, confusion arose when it was thought that members from Slovakia’s curling team were involved. Rexova eventually confessed to the authorities.
“I was incredibly anxious about it,” she added.
“We need to return it. I kept saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’ We had no intention of damaging it.
“We kept him in the bathroom for one or maybe two days. I closed the curtains and locked the bathroom door. It was perfectly clean and clear.
“We just wanted to partake in this tradition while having some fun and a bit of adrenaline.”
Alexandra Rexova reacts after participating in the Women’s Alpine Skiing Super-G Vision Impaired. Getty
Although the incident took her by surprise, Rexova admitted that should the chance arise to take Bruce—who her compatriots have affectionately renamed Stefan—she would not hesitate to do it again.
“He brought me good luck,” she explained.
“So, perhaps at the next Paralympics, you never know what we’ll do.”
Rexova concluded her stint in Cortina with a stellar haul of three bronze medals.
Compiled by SportArena.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
