Olympic Medal - Production and Design

Production and Design

The IOC dictates the physical properties of the medals and has the final decision about the finished design. Specifications for the medals are developed along with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) hosting the Games, though the IOC has brought in some set rules:

• Recipients: The top three competitors receive medals
• Shape: Usually circular, featuring an attachment for a chain or ribbon
• Diameter: A minimum of 60 mm
• Thickness: A minimum of 3 mm
• Material:
  • First place: It is composed of silver (at least .925 grade) covered with 6 grams of pure gold.
  • Second place: It has the same composition as the first place medal without the gilding.
  • Third place: It is mostly copper with some tin and zinc (worth approximately $3).
• Event details: The sport for which the medal has been awarded should be written on the medal

The first Olympic medals in 1896 were designed by French sculptor Jules-Clément Chaplain and depicted Zeus holding Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, on the obverse and the Acropolis on the reverse. They were made by the Paris Mint who also made the medals for the 1900 Olympic Games hosted by Paris. This started the tradition of giving the responsibility of minting the medals to the host city. For the next few Olympiads the host was also given the ability to choose the medal design.