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Reference Document Olympic Summer Games Medals From Athens 1896 to Beijing 2008 © 2010 – INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE – IMAGES © CIO Olympic Studies Center, email: studies_centre@olympic.org Reference Document TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.................................................................................................................. 3 1. The Summer Games medals ................................................................................ 3 2. From Athens to Beijing ......................................................................................... 4 2.1 Athens 1896 ................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Paris 1990 ................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Saint-Louis 1904 ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Londres 1908 .............................................................................................................................. 7 2.5 Stockholm 1912 .......................................................................................................................... 8 2.6 Anvers 1920 ................................................................................................................................ 9 2.7 Paris 1924 ................................................................................................................................. 10 2.8 Amsterdam 1928 ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.9 Los Angeles 1932 ..................................................................................................................... 12 2.10 Berlin 1936 ................................................................................................................................ 13 2.11 London 1948 ............................................................................................................................. 14 2.12 Helsinki 1952 ............................................................................................................................. 15 2.13 Melbourne 1956 ........................................................................................................................ 16 2.14 Rome 1960 ................................................................................................................................ 17 2.15 Tokyo 1964 ............................................................................................................................... 18 2.16 Mexico 1968 .............................................................................................................................. 19 2.17 Munich 1972 .............................................................................................................................. 20 2.18 Montreal 1976 ........................................................................................................................... 21 2.19 Moscow 1980 ............................................................................................................................ 22 2.20 Los Angeles 1984 ..................................................................................................................... 23 2.21 Seoul 1988 ................................................................................................................................ 24 2.22 Barcelona 1992 ......................................................................................................................... 25 2.23 Atlanta 1996 .............................................................................................................................. 26 2.24 Sydney 2000 ............................................................................................................................. 27 2.25 Athens 2004 .............................................................................................................................. 28 2.26 Beijing 2008 .............................................................................................................................. 29 Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 2/29 Reference Document Introduction This document looks at the evolution of the Olympic Summer Games medals, from the first Games in Athens in 1896 to those in Beijing in 2008. Each medal is presented with a photo of its obverse and reverse, with a description of the design and the technical details available. The design of the medals is left to the creativity of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG), with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) having the final approval. Designing these medals is an opportunity for the country hosting the Games to express its cultural identity through the choice of style or materials, as with the use of jade for the medals in Beijing. st Taking a journey from the first modern Games to the start of the 21 century using the emblematic Olympic medals is a fascinating artistic and cultural experience. 1. The Summer Games medals At the first Olympic Games of the modern era in Athens, in 1896, the winner was crowned with an olive wreath and received a silver medal. James B. Connolly of Massachusetts was the first modern Olympic champion to be rewarded thus. At the 1904 Olympic Games in St Louis, the first gold medals were given to the winners. These featured effigies of Zeus, Nike and a champion with a laurel wreath crown. For the first time, the medal was attached to a coloured ribbon with a pin to fix it to the chest. As of 1928, the medals for the Games of the Olympiad became standard. On the obverse, there was always the traditional representation of the goddess of Victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right hand. On the reverse, an Olympic champion was carried triumphantly by the crowd, with an Olympic stadium in the background. The Organising Committee for the 1972 Games in Munich started a new trend, with a reverse designed by an artist from the Bauhaus school, Gerhard Marcks. Since then, for the Summer Games, the representation of victory has featured on the obverse of the medal, while the design of the reverse is left up to each OCOG. It was not until 1960, in Rome, that the medals were placed around the winners’ necks. On this occasion, a laurel leaf chain was designed for the purpose. Today, a coloured ribbon is often used to hold the precious medal. In Atlanta, in 1996, to mark the 100th anniversary of the revival of the Games, the medals featured the wording “Centennial Olympic Games”, the torch emblem of the Games and a stylised olive branch. Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 3/29 Reference Document 2. From Athens to Beijing 2.1 Athens 1896 Obverse Reverse First place winners were awarded a silver medal, an olive branch and a diploma. Those in second place were given a copper medal, a branch of laurel and a diploma. The obverse side of the Athens medal has Zeus' face along with his hand holding a globe with the winged victory on it, with the caption in Greek "Olympia". The reverse side had the Acropolis site with the caption in Greek "International Olympic Games in Athens in 1896." - Designer : Jules Clément Chaplain - Composition: Silver - Diameter: 48 mm - Thickness: 3.8 mm - Weights: 47 g - Edge: Argent - Shape: Round - Quantity: 100 - Mint: Paris Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 4/29 Reference Document 2.2 Paris 1990 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, a winged goddess holding laurel branches in both hands, arms raised. In the background, underneath, a view of the city of Paris and the monuments of the Universal Exhibition. On the reverse, a victorious athlete standing on a podium, holding a laurel branch in his right hand, arm raised. In the background, a stadium and the Acropolis of Athens. - Designer: Frédérique Vernon - Length: 59 mm - Width: 41 mm - Thickness: 3.2 mm - Weights: 53 g - Edge: Argent - Shape: Rectangular - Mint: Paris Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 5/29 Reference Document 2.3 Saint-Louis 1904 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, an athlete standing on some steps, holding in his right hand a laurel crown, symbol of victory, and raising his left arm. In the background, a bas relief illustrating the sports disciplines from Antiquity. Behind, a Greek temple. Above the figure of the athlete, the inscription "OLYMPIAD" and on the rock bottom right "1904". On the reverse, the goddess Nike, goddess of victory, standing on a globe. She is holding a laurel crown in her left hand and a palm leaf in her right hand. In front of her, a great crown, with in the centre a space for putting the name of the sports discipline. Behind Nike, the bust of Zeus on a plinth. The inscription "UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION ST.-LOUIS U.S.A". The design of these two sides was inspired by the medal of the 1896 Athens Games and 1900 Paris Games. - Designer: Dieges and Clust Staff - Diameter: 37.8 mm - Thickness: 3.5 mm - Weights: 21 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Mint: Dieges and Clust Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 6/29 Reference Document 2.4 Londres 1908 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, two female figures placing a laurel crown on the head of a young victorious athlete, with, in the bottom half, the inscription "OLYMPIC GAMES LONDON 1908". On the reverse, the figure of St George, patron saint of England. Legend says that he was a fighting saint who slew a dragon to free a princess. - Designer: Bertram Mackennal - Diameter: 33 mm - Thickness: 4.4 mm - Weights: 21 g - Edge: Vaughton / Event Name / Winner - Shape: Round - Quantity: 250 - Mint: Vaughton & Sons Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 7/29 Reference Document 2.5 Stockholm 1912 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, two female figures placing a laurel crown on the head of young victorious athlete. On the reverse, a herald proclaiming the opening of the Games with, on the left, the statue of Ling, the founder of the institutions and the Swedish gym system. All around, the inscription "OLYMPISKA SPELEN STOCKHOLM 1912". - Designer: Bertram Mackennal / Erik Lindberg - Composition: Gold - Diameter: 33.4 mm - Thickness: 1.5 mm - Weights: 24 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 90 - Mint: C.C. Sporrong & Co. Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 8/29 Reference Document 2.6 Anvers 1920 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, a tall, naked athlete, holding in his left hand a palm leaf and a laurel crown, symbols of victory. Behind him, the figure of the Renommée playing the trumpet. In the background, a frieze with a Greek motif with the inscription "VII OLYMPIADE" underneath. On the reverse, the Antwerp monument, commemorating the legend of Brabo throwing into the Scheldt the hand of the giant Druoon Antigoon, who had been terrorising the river. In the background, the cathedral and port of Antwerp. In the top half, the inscription "ANVERS MCMXX". The legend say that in Antiquity, this cruel giant forced all vessels on the river to pay a toll. If the captain refused to pay, he cut off his hand. The giant spread terror amongst the sailors for many long years, until the day he met Silvius Brabo. This courageous Roman soldier dared to take on the giant and succeeded in killing him. As revenge for his victims, he cut off the giant's hand and threw it into the river. This is where the name of the city comes from- "Antwerp" means "thrown hand". A total of 1250 copies were made- 450 gold medals, 400 silver medals and the same number in bronze. - Designer: Josué Dupon - Diameter: 59 mm - Thickness: 4.4 mm - Weights: 79 g - Edge: Name, event, team, ANTWERP, date - Shape: Round - Quantity: 450 - Mint: Coosmans Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 9/29 Reference Document 2.7 Paris 1924 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, a naked victorious athlete, taking the hand of his rival, seated on the ground, to help him to get up. Underneath, the Olympic rings. On the reverse, a harp as a symbol of the cultural programme of the Games and the different sports equipment, winter as well as summer, forming an arch. In the centre, the inscription "VIIIe OLYMPIADE PARIS 1924". A total of 912 copies were made- 304 gold medals and the same number of silver medals, as well as 306 bronze medals. - Designer: André Rivaud - Diameter: 55 mm - Thickness: 4.8 mm - Weights: 79 g - Edge: Argent - Shape: Round - Quantity: 304 - Mint: Paris Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 10/29 Reference Document 2.8 Amsterdam 1928 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "IXe OLYMPIADE AMSTERDAM 1928". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 55 mm - Thickness: 3 mm - Weights: 66 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 254 - Mint: Dutch State Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 11/29 Reference Document 2.9 Los Angeles 1932 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "Xth OLYMPIAD LOS ANGELES 1932". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 55.3 mm - Thickness: 5.7 mm - Weights: 96 g - Edge: Lisse - Shape: Round - Mint: Whitehead - hoag Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 12/29 Reference Document 2.10 Berlin 1936 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "XI. OLYMPIADE BERLIN 1936". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 55 mm - Thickness: 5. mm - Weights: 71. g - Edge: B.H MAYER PFORZHEIM 990 - Shape: Round - Quantity: 320 - Mint: B.H.Mayer Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 13/29 Reference Document 2.11 London 1948 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "XVIII OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 51.4 mm - Thickness: 5,1 mm - Weights: 60 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 300 - Mint: John Pinches Ltd. Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 14/29 Reference Document 2.12 Helsinki 1952 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "XV OLYMPIA HELSINKI 1952". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli / Aukusti Tuhka - Diameter: 51 mm - Thickness: 4.8 mm - Weights: 46.5 g - Edge: 916 M / Y6 (Factory Stamp) - Shape: Round - Quantity: 320 - Mint: Kultakeskus Oy Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 15/29 Reference Document 2.13 Melbourne 1956 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "XVIth OLYMPIAD MELBOURNE 1956". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 51 mm - Thickness: 4.8 mm - Weights: 68 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 280 - Mint: K.G. Luke Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 16/29 Reference Document 2.14 Rome 1960 Obverse Reverse* On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "GIOCCHI DELLA XVII OLIMPIADE ROMA MCMLX". Something new: the medals in Rome were set in a circle of bronze featuring a laurel wreath matched with a chain also designed like a sequence of bronze laurel leaves. On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B : From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 68 mm - Thickness: 6.5 mm - Weights: 211 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Mint: Artistice Fiorentini * Due to conflicting information some scholars debate which is the obverse and reverse of this medal Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 17/29 Reference Document 2.15 Tokyo 1964 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: "XVIII OLYMPIAD TOKYO 1964". On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Toshikaka koshiba - Diameter: 60 mm - Thickness: 7.5 g - Weights: 62g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 314 - Mint: Japanese Mint * Due to conflicting information some scholars debate which is the obverse and reverse of this medal Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 18/29 Reference Document 2.16 Mexico 1968 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA -1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the picture of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: “XIX OLIMPIADA MEXICO 1968”. On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. N.B: From 1928 to 1968, the medals for the Summer Games were identical. The Organising Committee for the Games in Munich in 1972 broke new ground by having a different reverse which was designed by a Bauhaus representative, Gerhard Marcks. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 60 mm - Thickness: 6 mm - Weights: 130 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 19/29 Reference Document 2.17 Munich 1972 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, a design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, accompanied by the specific inscription "XX Olympiade München 1972". On the reverse, Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Zeus and Léda, the patrons of sports competitions and friendship, represented by two naked youths. This design was created by Gerhard Marcks, one of the last representatives of the Bauhaus. - Designer: Gerhard Marcks - Diameter: 66 mm - Thickness: 6.5 mm - Weights: 102 g - Edge: Winner's full name and sport - Shape: Round - Quantity: 364 - Mint: Bavarian Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 20/29 Reference Document 2.18 Montreal 1976 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the design of Guiseppe Cassioli, created for the 1928 Games in Amsterdam. The principal symbols are Victory, Fraternity and Universality. The reverse was designed as intentionally bare. It comprises a stylized laurel crown, symbol of victory since the Games of Antiquity, and the emblem of the Montreal Games. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 60 mm - Thickness: 5.8 mm - Weights: 154 mm - Edge: Name of coressponding sport - Shape: Round - Quantity: 420 - Mint: Royal Canadian Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 21/29 Reference Document 2.19 Moscow 1980 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the traditional Olympic symbol of victory: the goddess Nike holding a laurel wreath; in the lower right-hand corner, a fragment of the colosseum, above it, the inscription in Cyrillic Igry XXII Olimpiady Moskva 1980 (Games of the XXII Olympiad Moscow 1980). On the reverse, a stylised Olympic Bowl with a burning flame (not burning a burning flame) against the background of a stadium arena. The upper right-hand segment, carries the insignia of the Moscow Olympics. The name of the sport appears on the rim. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli / Ilya Postol - Diameter: 60 mm - Thickness: 6.8 mm - Weights: 125 g - Edge: Name of coressponding sport - Shape: Round - Mint: Moscow Mint Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 22/29 Reference Document 2.20 Los Angeles 1984 Obverse Reverse The medals for 1984 Games in Los Angeles were an adaptation of the original design by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli created for the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, The obverse of the medal features the ancient coliseum and the goddess of victory holding a winner's crown. The reverse of the medal features a victorious athlete, a palm branch carried by jubilant athletes, and a stadium in the background. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 60 mm - Thickness: 7.9 mm - Weights: 141 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Mint: Jostens, Inc. Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 23/29 Reference Document 2.21 Seoul 1988 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, the ancient coliseum and the goddess of victory holding the laurel crowns and the caption: "XXIV Olympiad Seoul 1988". On the reverse , a dove, the symbol of peace, soaring up, holding a laurel branch in its mouth, and the Seoul Olympic sash composed of three Taeguk patterns from the Korean national flag and the five Olympic rings. - Designer: Giuseppe Cassioli - Diameter: 60 mm - Thickness: 7 mm - Weights: 152 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 525 - Mint: Korea Security Printing and Minting Corporation Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 24/29 Reference Document 2.22 Barcelona 1992 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, a medallion 56mm in diameter, superimposed on the medal and slightly off-centre, on which the image of the goddess of victory appeared, drawn in a Modernist style, together with the words "XXV Olimpíada Barcelona 1992". On the reverse the official emblem of the Barcelona Games. The medal was designed by the sculptor Xavier Corberó. - Designer: Xavier Corbero - Diameter: 70 mm - Thickness: 9.8 g - Weights: 231 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Mint: Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 25/29 Reference Document 2.23 Atlanta 1996 Obverse Reverse On the obverse, a drawing that has been in use since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, representing Nike, the goddess of victory, holding palms in her left hand, and, in her right hand, held over her head, a winner's crown. On the reverse, the logo of the 1996 Games and a stylized olive branch. In all, 633 gold medals, 635 silver, and 661 bronze medals were cast for the 1996 Atlanta Games. - Designer: Malcolm Grear Designers - Diameter: 70 mm - Thickness: 5 mm - Weights: 181 g - Edge: Atlanta Commitee for the Olympic Games - Shape: Round - Quantity: 637 - Mint: Reed and Barton Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 26/29 Reference Document 2.24 Sydney 2000 Obverse Reverse The customary symbols, including the Victory Goddess holding a winner's crown, are engraved on the obverse face. The Sydney Opera House, the Olympic torch and the Olympic rings are represented on the reverse. The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games designers are Australian: Woljciech Pietranik and Brian Thompson. - Designer: Pietranik Wojciech - Composition: Gold - Diameter: 68 mm - Thickness: 5 mm - Weights: 180 g - Shape: Round Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 27/29 Reference Document 2.25 Athens 2004 Obverse Reverse The main feature of the medals is the Greek character shown on both sides, since their basic side has been changed for the first time since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, This is of particular importance, as from now on all Olympic medals will reflect the Greek character of the Games as regards both their origin and their revival. On the medals awarded to Olympic athletes from 1928 until the Sydney Games, goddess Nike was seated, holding an ear of corn in one hand and a wreath in the other. Here, she flies into the stadium bringing victory to the best athlete. The Organising Committee has chosen to show the Panathenic stadium, where the Games were first renewed in 1896. On the obverse, the athlete’s discipline is also engraved. The reverse side of the medal is composed of three elements: The eternal flame that was lit in Olympia and travelled through the five continents by way of the 2004 Torch Relay; the opening lines of Pindar's Eighth Olympic Ode composed in 460 BC to honour the victory of Alkimedon of Aegina in wrestling and the Athens 2004 Olympic Games emblem. The design of the Medal was created by Elena Votsi. - Designer: Elena Votsi - Diameter: 6 cm - Thickness: 0,5 cm - Weights: 135 g - Edge: Plain - Shape: Round - Quantity: 1130 Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 28/29 Reference Document 2.26 Beijing 2008 Obverse Reverse ©Getty For the first time jade is used for the Beijing Olympic medals. The medals have been designed with inspiration coming from "bi", China's ancient jade piece inscribed with a dragon pattern. The medals symbolise nobility and virtue and are the embodiment of traditional Chinese values of ethics and honour, emitting a strong Chinese flavour. The winners’ medal is made of gold weighing not less than six grammes each. The medal for the runner-up is made of pure silver. Noble and elegant, the medals are a blending of traditional Chinese culture and Olympism. On their obverse side, the medals reflect the Greek character of the Olympic Games: the goddess of victory Nike pictured in the Panathinaikos Stadium. While on their reverse side, the medals are inlaid with jade with the Beijing Games emblem engraved in the metal centrepiece. The design inspiration of the medal hook derives from jade "huang", a ceremonial jade piece decorated with a double dragon pattern and "Pu", the reed mat pattern. - Diameter: 70 mm - Weight: 200 g (with minor variations depending on the metal) - Edge: Smooth - Thickness: 6 mm - Shape: Round - Mint: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation Olympic Summer Games Medals Olympic Studies Centre / update April 2010 Page 29/29
