Five Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know about Olympic Medals
Admin • 17 February 2020
Five Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know about Olympic Medals
It has been 4 years since the last Olympic games, and the 2020 Summer Olympics will be coming up on 24 July 2020 and end on 9 August 2020. This year, the Olympic games will be held in Tokyo, Japan. Olympic games are a series of international sporting events that feature summer and winter sports competitions that over thousands of athletes worldwide would participate in a variety of competitions. One of the most memorable parts for every Olympic games is the awarding ceremony where the winners are given medals at the podium.
Here are five fun facts you probably didn’t know about Olympic Medals that might interest you: –
1. The Olympics used to award Medals for Art.
- During 1912 to 1948, the Olympic Games used to hold competitions in the fine arts.
- These Olympic games were also known as the “Pentathlon of the Muses”
- Medals were awarded for literature, architecture, sculpture, painting, and music.
- Naturally, the art created was required to be Olympic-themed.
- According to Pierre de Frédy, the founder of the modern Olympics, the addition of the arts was essential due to the fact the ancient Greeks used to hold art festivals alongside the games.
- Prior to the later removal of the art events from the Olympics, 151 medals were awarded.
2. All medals used in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics were actually made in Ottawa, Canada
- The Royal Canadian Mint has produced over 1,000 athlete medals for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games , and they were all produced at its very own Ottawa facility.
- Here are a few interesting facts about the medals:
- At the time, the medals for Vancouver 2010 Olympics were the heaviest medals in Games history as they weighed between 500 and 576 grams each.
- Every medal is unique as no two designs are the same
- When placed all together, the Olympic medals formed a puzzle in the design of an orca, which is a raven for the Paralympic medals
- Unlike all the medals before, these medals were “undulated” instead of flat
- The reverse of the medals for the Paralympic Winter Games also included Braille writing
- Each medal was struck nine times with 1,900 tons of pressure, which is the weight equivalent of 760 cars piled on top of each other.
3. One of the most unusual materials that has ever been used to create a medal would be made of a meteorite
- About ten gold medals awarded in the 2014 Sochi Games contained pieces of the massive meteor that exploded over Russia in February 2013.
4. Before being awarded with gold medals, winners actually were awarded with artwork
- In the first modern Olympiad held in 1894, there were no gold medals at all.
- First place athletes received silver medals, the second place received copper, and the third place got bubkes.
- Later on, during the 1900 Paris Games, winners received valuable paintings and works of art instead of gold medals.
5. Gold, silver, and bronze medals have a secret meaning
- Gold, silver, and bronze medals represent three of the five Ages of Man in Greek mythology.
- The Golden Age was a time when man and gods lived in harmony.
- The Silver Age was the time when man stray from devotion,
- The Bronze Age represents a period of war and violence.
And there you have it, five fun facts about Olympic medals you might not know about. Medals are often given to winners or victors of a certain sporting event as a way to award their victories.
The Timeless Importance of Medals in Badminton Matches Medals have long been a symbol of success and achievement in the world of sports. In badminton, a sport defined by speed, precision, and teamwork, medals hold a special significance for athletes, fans, and the nation. As we reflect on past victories, such as Malaysia's recent success in the India Open, and look ahead to upcoming tournaments like the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships and the German Open, we take a moment to appreciate the timeless role that medals play in badminton. 1. Recognition of Excellence A medal is the ultimate recognition of an athlete’s dedication, discipline, and skill. Whether it’s a gold, silver, or bronze, it signifies the culmination of years of hard work. The triumph of athletes like Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin at the India Open serves as a testament to their resilience and teamwork. Medals give formal acknowledgment to these incredible achievements and solidify their place in badminton history. 2. Motivation for Athletes The prospect of winning a medal is a powerful motivator for any athlete. It represents the dream of standing at the podium and proudly representing one’s country. The value of a medal goes beyond its material worth—it's a symbol of the countless hours of training, sacrifice, and determination that lead up to that moment of success. 3. Symbol of National Pride Medals bring immense pride to nations, especially in international competitions. When Malaysian players win, they elevate the country’s profile in the badminton world, fostering a sense of unity and pride among the people. This pride not only celebrates the athletes’ victories but also inspires the younger generation to pursue the sport with the hope of one day standing on the podium. 4. Commemoration of Achievements Medals are more than just awards—they are lifelong keepsakes that athletes treasure. They represent memorable moments, such as a breakthrough win or a defining match. These tokens of success often become cherished mementos, passed down through generations as a source of inspiration. 5. Encouragement for Youth Development For aspiring badminton players, medals are symbols of what can be achieved through perseverance and talent. Watching idols receive medals inspires youth to dream big and commit to the sport. The medals won by champions are living proof that hard work pays off. 6. Global Recognition of the Sport Medals also play a significant role in raising the global profile of badminton. Major tournaments like the BWF World Tour, the Olympics, and upcoming events like the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships and the German Open highlight the international competitiveness of the sport. Every medal won by athletes adds to the prestige of badminton, attracting new fans and sponsors and furthering the growth of the sport. Medals are not just prizes—they are symbols of success, legacy, and inspiration. They motivate athletes, celebrate national pride, and encourage the next generation of players. While we reflect on the significance of Malaysia’s recent victory in the India Open, let’s look forward to future events, where medals will continue to honor achievement and inspire champions. Whether you're watching or competing, remember that every medal earned is a story of dedication, sacrifice, and triumph. Let’s celebrate the champions who motivate us all!
There has been a lot of attention and debate surrounding participation trophies. It’s a decades-long debate about rewarding kids for participating in an activity. More often, school and other activities will award young children and the participants with participant trophies or participant awards. Young children earned these trophies by participating in the events or competitions. This could lead to the downplay participation and devalue any effort young children would put into the activity.
A trophy is an object that is usually given to someone because of an accomplishment. These are often given out through sporting events. Trophies come in many shapes and sizes. A trophy can be in the shape of a cup, a bowl, a plaque, a mug that is usually painted or engraved with something, a human shape, or a spaceship.