Gold prices may be slipping at present on the markets, but you wouldn't expect it is worth as little as a taxi fare.

At least, that's how much a gold medal was worth for one taxi driver in China according to Chinese media outlet Tencent.

The athletics World Championships are in full swing in Beijing and Polish hammer thrower Pawel Fajdek is one of the gold medal winners.

After winning his competition on Sunday, he went out on the town to celebrate. While inebriated, he used the medal to pay for a taxi fare.

The morning after the night before, Fajdek woke up in a panic after realising his error and with the help of the police was able to contact the driver who eventually handed back the medal with some persuasion.