Noticia nº23.531

/noticias.info/ For the first time since the Amsterdam Olympic Games in 1928, the medals for the Games of the Olympiad have been changed. The main feature of the medals, whose obverse has been modified, is the Greek character of both its sides. The Olympic medal was designed by artist Elena Votsi.

Reflect Greek character

This change is of particular importance, because, from now on, all Olympic medals will reflect the Greek character of the Games, Greece being both their country of origin and of their revival.

Nike flies into the stadium

On the medals awarded to Olympic athletes from 1928 until the Sydney Games, the goddess Nike was seated, holding an ear of corn in one hand and a wreath in the other. Since the goddess Nike would fly into a stadium to crown the best athlete, the Organising Committee for the Athens Games concluded that the interior of a stadium should be pictured on the medal.

Panathinaikon Stadium

For the Athens Olympic Games medals, they selected the Panathinaikon Stadium, where the Olympic Games were revived in 1896. The reverse of the medal will also include the name of the sport in which the medal was won.

Olympic flame on the reverse of the medal

There are three elements on the reverse of the medal:

- The first is the eternal flame that will be lit in Olympia and will travel through the five continents by way of the 2004 Torch Relay.

- The flame is accompanied by the opening lines of Pindar’s Eighth Olympic Ode composed in 460 BC to honour the victory of Alkimedon of Aegina in wrestling.

- The medal is completed with the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games emblem.

11/08/2004