Russia’s richest man bought Watson’s Nobel Prize medal so he cna give it back

Scientist James Watson's Nobel Prize gold medal was sold for $4.8million at an auction in New York last week. The identity of the bidder was not revealed but today, Russia's richest man, steel and telecoms tycoon Alisher Usmanov admitted he bought the Nobel medal and that he will give it back to the scientist.

James Watson received the Nobel Prize medal for his discovery of the structure of DNA in 1962. It is the first medal to be put on sale by a living recipient and the first one to fetch such price.

In his statement, Usmanov said, "In my opinion, a situation in which an outstanding scientist has to sell a medal recognising his achievements is unacceptable."

"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,” Usmanov further added.

According to Forbes magazine, Usmanov is worth $15.8bn. He is a major shareholder in Arsenal football club and was named Britain's wealthiest man in the Sunday Times rich list for 2013.

In his statement, Usmanov said, “Dr. Watson’s work contributed to cancer research, the illness from which my father died. It is important for me that the money that I spent on this medal will go to supporting scientific research, and the medal will stay with the person who deserved it.”

The Nobel Prize award in 1962 was shared by Watson and Francis Crick for the discovery of the structure of DNA. Last year, Crick’s Nobel Prize was sold for $2.2m.