The first modern Olympic medal was awarded in 1896, with designs varying from mundane to ostentatious. Since the beginning of the 2000s, we’ve seen more than a fair share of unique Olympic medal designs that show off what the host country wants to share with the world.
For the Tokyo Olympics, a competition was held that attracted over 400 entries before the final design was selected.
Here’s how the Olympics website breaks down the design of the current Olympic medal:
“The design of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic medals reflects the concept that, to achieve glory, athletes have to strive for victory on a daily basis. The medals resemble rough stones that have been polished and now shine, with ‘light’ and ‘brilliance’ their overall themes.
“The medals collect and reflect myriad patterns of light, symbolizing the energy of the athletes and those who support them. Their design is intended to symbolize diversity and represent a world where people who compete in sports and work hard are honored. The brilliance of the medals signifies the warm glow of friendship symbolizing people all over the world holding hands.”
Here are all the Olympic medal designs for both the Summer and Winter Games dating back to 2000.
