Olympic medals are awarded to people competing in the Olympic Games, a leading international sporting event featuring competitions with thousands of athletes from all over the globe.
In this article, we will go through the most common questions about Olympic medals, from how they are made to how much a gold one is worth. We got some ground to cover, so let’s get started.
What are the Olympic Games and Their Medals?
The Olympic Games are held every four years (with some exceptions), alternating between Summer and Winter Olympics every two years. Although you might be quite familiar with these events (watching them on TV or, if you’re lucky, attending them in person), you might not be aware that the games are more than a thousand years old! That’s right, the Olympic Games we watch today are inspired by the original and ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece, in the 8th century.
The Medal Ceremony
The people finishing in first, second, and third place in Olympic events receive medals (made of gold, silver, and bronze, respectively). These medals are awarded at a medal ceremony held after the conclusion of the event. The three winners stand on top of a three-tiered rostrum (or pulpit) and are awarded the medals by a member of the IOC. Then, the national flags of each athelete is raised, and the national anthem of the gold winner is played.
Most Commonly Asked Questions About Olympic Medals
There are plenty of articles online covering everything about the Olympic Games, but this site specializes in medals, so let’s go through a few facts and stories about them, shall we?
Are Olympic Gold Medals Really Made of Gold?
Kind of! Until 1912, gold medals awarded to sport event winners were made of solid gold. However, this regulation changed over time. Today, an Olympic gold medal must have at least six grams of pure gold. The gold in these medals is usually on the plating. Silver medals, in case you were wondering, are made of pure silver and bronze ones are 95% copper and 5% zinc.
How Much Are Olympic Medals Worth?
You might be surprised to hear that Olympic medals (gold medals in particular, as they are the most sought-after) are not extremely expensive. In fact, if you look at listings today, you might find medals from 2020 Tokyo for as little as $500. Silver medals are worth around $250 and bronze medals… well, let’s just say some of them cost as much as a coffee.
Who Designed the Olympic Medals?
The first Olympic medals, which were created in 186, were designed by Jules-Clément Chaplain, a French sculptor. They depicted Zeus holding Nike, the Greek goddess of victory (and, on the reverse, the Acropolis). These Olympic medals were struck in the Paris Mint (the 1900 Olympic Games were held in that city). Since then, medals for the games are the responsibility of the city hosting the event.
