Medals
An Olympic medal is awarded to successful competitors at one of the Olympic Games. There are three classes of medal: gold, awarded to the winner; silver, awarded to the runner-up; and bronze, awarded to the third-place competitor.
In addition to generally supporting their Olympic athletes,
some countries provide sums of money and gifts to medal winners, depending on the classes and number of medals won.Medal designs have varied considerably since the first Olympic Games in 1896, particularly in size and weight.
some countries provide sums of money and gifts to medal winners, depending on the classes and number of medals won.Medal designs have varied considerably since the first Olympic Games in 1896, particularly in size and weight.
A standard obverse (front) design of the medals for the Summer Olympic Games began in 1928 and remained for many years, until its replacement at the 2004 Games as the result of
controversy surrounding the use of the Roman Colosseum rather than a building representing the Games' Greek roots. The medals of the Winter Olympic Games never had a common design, but regularly feature snowflakes.
controversy surrounding the use of the Roman Colosseum rather than a building representing the Games' Greek roots. The medals of the Winter Olympic Games never had a common design, but regularly feature snowflakes.
Medal Specification
- The London 2012 Olympic medals weigh 375-400g, are 85mm in diameter and 7mm thick.
- The gold medal is made up of 92.5% silver and 1.34% gold, with the remainder copper (a minimum of 6g of gold).
- The silver medal is made up of 92.5% silver, with the remainder copper.
- The bronze medal is made up of 97.0% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.
- The gold medal is made up of 92.5% silver and 1.34% gold, with the remainder copper (a minimum of 6g of gold).
- The silver medal is made up of 92.5% silver, with the remainder copper.
- The bronze medal is made up of 97.0% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.
The precious ore for the medals has been supplied by London 2012 sponsor Rio
Tinto and was mined at Kennecott Utah Copper Mine near Salt Lake City in
America, as well as from the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. For the small
amount of non-precious elements that make up the bronze medals, the zinc was
sourced from a mine in Australia as well as from recycled stock, while the tin
originates from a mine in Cornwall.
Tinto and was mined at Kennecott Utah Copper Mine near Salt Lake City in
America, as well as from the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. For the small
amount of non-precious elements that make up the bronze medals, the zinc was
sourced from a mine in Australia as well as from recycled stock, while the tin
originates from a mine in Cornwall.
Awarded for
given to successful competitors in various Olympic Sports Presented by International Olympic Committee First awarded 1896 Official website www.olympic.org |
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