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Russia's Usmanov to give back Watson's auctioned Nobel medal | Russia's Usmanov to give back Watson's auctioned Nobel medal |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Russia's richest man has revealed that he bought US scientist James Watson's Nobel Prize gold medal, and intends to return it to him. | Russia's richest man has revealed that he bought US scientist James Watson's Nobel Prize gold medal, and intends to return it to him. |
Steel and telecoms tycoon Alisher Usmanov said Mr Watson "deserved" the medal, and that he was "distressed" the scientist had felt forced to sell it. | Steel and telecoms tycoon Alisher Usmanov said Mr Watson "deserved" the medal, and that he was "distressed" the scientist had felt forced to sell it. |
The medal, awarded in 1962 for the discovery of the structure of DNA, sold for $4.8m (£3m) at auction. | The medal, awarded in 1962 for the discovery of the structure of DNA, sold for $4.8m (£3m) at auction. |
The medal was the first Nobel Prize to be put on sale by a living recipient. | The medal was the first Nobel Prize to be put on sale by a living recipient. |
The 1962 prize was awarded to Watson, along with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick, with each receiving a gold medal. | The 1962 prize was awarded to Watson, along with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick, with each receiving a gold medal. |
Mr Watson, 86, has said he planned to donate part of the proceeds to charities and to support scientific research. | Mr Watson, 86, has said he planned to donate part of the proceeds to charities and to support scientific research. |
In an interview with the Financial Times recently, Mr Watson said he had been made to feel like an "unperson"feel like an "unperson" since a Sunday Times interview seven years ago in which he linked race to intelligence. | |
Mr Usmanov said in a statement that he was the anonymous telephone bidder who bought the medal at a Christie's auction last week. | Mr Usmanov said in a statement that he was the anonymous telephone bidder who bought the medal at a Christie's auction last week. |
"In my opinion, a situation in which an outstanding scientist has to sell a medal recognising his achievements is unacceptable," he added. | "In my opinion, a situation in which an outstanding scientist has to sell a medal recognising his achievements is unacceptable," he added. |
"James Watson is one of the greatest biologists in the history of mankind and his award for the discovery of DNA structure must belong to him." | "James Watson is one of the greatest biologists in the history of mankind and his award for the discovery of DNA structure must belong to him." |
Mr Usmanov, said by Forbes magazine to be worth $15.8bn, is a major shareholder in Arsenal football club and was named Britain's wealthiest man in the Sunday Times rich list for 2013. | Mr Usmanov, said by Forbes magazine to be worth $15.8bn, is a major shareholder in Arsenal football club and was named Britain's wealthiest man in the Sunday Times rich list for 2013. |
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