You never know what you'll see on a subway. Unfortunately, that usually means seeing something you really wish you could unsee.

That wasn't the case for travelers on the London Underground's Jubilee line last night. They were doing double takes when Venezuelan fencing champion Ruben Limardo showed off his glittering prize.

A beaming Limardo, who had just won his country's first gold medal in 44 years (and only its second ever), was understandably thrilled as he made his way from the fencing venue to Olympic village on public transportation. He happily posed for pictures as fellow passengers got a unique memory from the 2012 London Games.

His upset wins over Norway's Bartosz Piasecki and Seth Kelsey of the United States quickly made him a star in his home country, giving Venezuelans a welcome distraction from a bitter presidential campaign being waged ahead of an Oct. 7 election.

President Hugo Chavez was quick to jump on the bandwagon, telling Limardo over the phone, "I'm very happy, brother, son of this fatherland." Limardo, who turns 27 today, gave credit to Chavez: "Thanks to you, I've truly accomplished my dream."