Hansen Recovers Olympic Medal Lost on Flight to Austin

Former Longhorn Brendan Hansen lost his gold medal from the Beijing Games during a flight from Philadelphia to Austin on Sunday, but got it back a day later thanks to a good samaritan fellow traveler.

Hansen's mother, Miriam, told the Associated Press that her son was returning to Austin from a bachelor party, and was carrying his gold medal from the 400-meter medley relay. The medal slipped out of the side pocket of his backpack, and he realized it was gone after getting off the flight in Texas.

A college student who found the medal on the floor in the back of the plane contacted police, who advised her to contact the University of Texas, figuring that any swimming medalist in the Austin area was likely affiliated with the school.

Miriam Hansen was the student got in touch with Brendan on Monday, and he gave her "a huge check" as a reward.