Guide Note

The awarding of Olympic medals is a central tradition in the Olympic Games. During the ancient olympics in Greece, the first place winner received only an olive laurel. Since the revival of the games in 1896, the top three winners have been awarded with gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively.

Fast Facts

Tradition began in 1896

Originally, the silver medal was awarded to the first place athlete

Each host city develops a new design for the medals

Since 1928, all medals have had the same symbols on one side

Opposite side is free for the host city to design

Gold medals are actually silver covered in a gold leaf

Medals are approximately two inches in diameter

The medals awarded at the 2008 Olympics are the first to feature a non-metal material

All-Time Gold Medal Count

Olympic Medals

Did you mean Olympic Medal Count 2008?

Olympic Medals News

Official Site: Olympic Medals
Google News: Olympic Medals
The Guardian: Teams Put a Price on Beijing Games Medals (March 5, 2008)
Yahoo! News: China Tempers Olympic Medal Expectations (March 5, 2008)
People's Daily: 2008 Olympic Games Medals 'Gold Inlaid with Jade'... (March 4, 2008)
Xinhua News: China Hopeful to Win Trampoline Medals at Olympic Games (March 4, 2008)
Official Site: Medals of Beijing Olympic Games Unveiled (March 27, 2007)

Olympic Medals Blogs and Commentaries

Design Charlotte: Olympic Medallion by Jamie Franki (March 5, 2008)
UnBeige (mediabistro): Designing a New Olympic Medal...for Coaches (March 4, 2008)
JCK Online: Jade to Be Used for Olympic Medals (January 3, 2008)