Let the Games Begin! - Interesting Olympic Medal Facts
2024 is officially the Summer of Sport, with the Olympics due to start this week in Paris. Here at Sharps Pixley, we have been through the vaults for some interesting facts about Olympic Medals.
Who Designs the Gold Medals?
The design of Olympic medals changes for each Games, often reflecting the culture and heritage of the host country. This year, each medal will be embellished with an 18g piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower and is designed by LVMH jeweller, Chaumet.
The design of Olympic medals often incorporates the iconic five interlocking rings, symbolising the unity of the five inhabited continents.
One side of the medal has the country and year of the Olympics engraved. On the other side, since 2004, the medal tells the story of the rebirth of the Games in Athens, Greece. This year, the Acropolis of Athens will be joined by the Eiffel Tower to tie Greek and French history together.
What are the Medals Made Of?
Despite being called ‘gold’ medals, they are actually made mostly of silver and coated with a thin layer of pure gold. The last fully gold medals were awarded in 1912 at Stockholm. The metals used for the medals can come from various sources. The composition for this year’s games hasn’t been released yet, but for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the silver and bronze medals were made from recycled materials. Usually, gold medals are made from 92% silver and plated with 6 grams of pure gold. Silver medals are made with 92% silver and are typically mixed with copper to strengthen the medal. Bronze medals are composed primarily of copper, tin, and a small amount of zinc.
How Heavy are Olympic Gold Medals?
Olympic medals can vary in weight. This year the gold medal weighs a sturdy 529g, the silver medal is 525g, and the bronze medal weighs 455g. The Olympic Charter specifies that the medals must be at least 60mm in diameter and 3mm thick.
How Much Would a Pure Gold Medal be Worth?
At the time of writing, the spot price of gold is £1,891.44 per ounce, therefore if this year’s gold medal was made of pure gold, its value would be £35,180.
Have Gold Medals Always Been Awarded to First Place Winners?
The first Olympic Games held at Athens in 1896 awarded silver medals to winners, as gold was considered too valuable.
Which Country Has Won the Most Medals?
The United States has won the most Olympic medals overall. At the current count, they have won 2,667 medals: 1,077 Gold, 840 Silver, and 750 Bronze.
Which Athlete Has Won the Most Medals?
Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic medals won by an individual athlete, with 28 medals in total.
Are Medals Accessible to Everyone?
Paralympic medals include unique features such as a different number of dots on the side to help visually impaired athletes identify them.
Do the Sports Stay the Same Each Year?
Between 1912 and 1948, medals were awarded for artistic competitions in painting, sculpture, music, literature, and architecture categories. Sports are constantly evolving and changing. This year, ‘breaking’ (a type of dancing) is new to the competition, where competitors must improvise to the beat of a live DJ’s tracks.
Have the Olympics Always Been Open to Men and Women?
No, women were first awarded Olympic medals in 1900 in Paris.
Do Medals Ever Get Lost?
Some Olympic medals have been stolen or lost, like Muhammad Ali's 1960 gold medal, which he famously threw into the Ohio River but was later replaced.
Can Medals Ever Be Revoked?
Medals can be revoked if athletes are found guilty of doping or other infractions, as has been the case in several cases throughout Olympic history.
How Much is a Medal Worth?
While the intrinsic value of medal materials is significant, their historical and sentimental value makes them priceless to many athletes.
Are There Any Quirky Traditions or Superstitions That Take Place?
Athletes sometimes bite their medals for photographs, a tradition that has become a symbol of victory and celebration.
How Many Medals Are Made?
The total number of medals awarded at the Olympics is 1010, 329 Gold medals, 329 Silver medals, and 352 Bronze medals (to account for sports where there are two participants) across 32 sporting events. The total number can vary depending on changes to event schedules, ties, and disqualifications.