The Olympic Games are known for bringing together athletes from all corners of the world to compete in various sports. At the end of each event, medals are awarded to the top three finishers. But have you ever wondered about the design of these medals?
The design of Olympic medals evolves with every edition of the games. For example, at this year’s Tokyo Olympics, the gold medal will be made entirely from recycled metals collected from old electronic devices donated by Japanese citizens. The silver and bronze medals will also contain recycled materials.
In terms of design, each host country has its own unique approach to creating their Olympic medals. For example, Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympics featured medals that resembled stones washed up on shore with a distinct Brazilian flavor.
At the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics, designer Malcolm Grear created a sleek look for US Olympic team members by incorporating intricate lettering and an American flag motif into each medal.
One constant feature across all editions is that every medal includes a depiction of Nike – the Greek goddess of victory – along with an image relevant to the sport in which it was won. These designs often feature athletes or symbols representing athleticism.
Another interesting aspect is that some countries choose not only to customize their own country’s medals but also those given out for select events within certain sports competitions. In fact, one such case took place during Pyeongchang 2018 when South Korea designed special-edition gold-medal necklaces exclusively for curling champions.
While many people may focus solely on winning a medal rather than what they look like, it remains fascinating how much thought goes into designing something as seemingly simple as an Olympic award. From environmentally friendly materials to national pride-inspired designs, there is always something new and exciting happening within this realm.
In conclusion, there’s no denying that receiving an Olympic medal is one of the most prestigious honors any athlete can achieve. Though we may not think about it often, the design of these medals is carefully crafted to embody the spirit and culture of each host country. With Tokyo 2021 around the corner, we can’t wait to see what innovative ideas designers will bring to this year’s Olympic medal designs.