By Duncan Mackay

Shelley Chaplin London 2012 final September 7December 11 - A rare ring given to Australia's wheelchair basketball team that competed at London 2012 has been stolen from the home of Shelley Chaplin.


Police said offenders ransacked the Melbourne home of Chaplin, which she shares with team-mate Cobi Crispin, while they were both out. 

The 28-year-old Chaplin, has represented Australia in the last three Paralympics.

She won a silver medal at Athens in 2004 and London 2012 and bronze at Beijing in 2008. 

The golden ring was one of only 24 and was presented to the male and female wheelchair basketballers before the Games.

She has appealed to the burglars to return the ring.

"For four years I trained for the London Paralympics," said Chaplin. 

"[The ring] was a gift from Basketball Australia to highlight that work...it means a lot to me.

"When I came into the house and realised we'd been robbed, I was most worried about my medal and it was still there, but the ring was missing."

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