GoldPaq

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing offer those interested in the history of the Olympic medals the perfect impetus to learn more about the Olympic Games and the medals awarded to the outstanding athletes who participate.

Here, then, are some fast facts about the history of the Olympics and the Olympic metals:

>>The first recorded Olympic games were held in Olympia, Greece, in 776 B.C.

>>The first modern international Olympic games were held in 1859. Philanthropist Evangelos Zappas sponsored these games, and even paid for the refurbishment of the Panathinaiko Stadium in Greece where the games were held.

>>1894 saw the formation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has overseen the Olympic Games ever since.

>>In 1900 and 1904 the Olympics coincided with the World’s Fair.

>>Medals were not awarded for Olympic winners until 1896; however, in 1900, most winners received cups or trophies.

>>In 1896, Olympic first-place winners received a silver medal; second-place winners received a bronze medal. Third-place winners did not receive a medal.

>>1904 was the first year that first-place winners received gold medals, second-place winners received silver medals, and third-place winners received bronze medals.

>>The Olympic Gold Medal’s design was the same from 1928-1968; the front, or obverse, side of the medal showed a design by Giuseppe Cassioli with text featuring the host city’s name; the reverse featured a generic Olympic champion.

>>From 1972-2000, the Olympic Gold Medal featured Cassioli’s design on the obverse, while the reverse side featured the host city’s design.

>>When Athens, Greece hosted the Olympics in 2004, Cassioli’s design was discarded because it featured a Roman amphitheater. To commemorate the fact that the original Olympic games were Greek rather than Roman, a new design was commissioned.

>>The history of the Olympic rings symbol has been traced to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who was important in the organization of the IOC. He suggested the design in 1913 after seeing a similar design on an ancient Greek artifact. The five rings represent the five major regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. At least one of the five Olympic ring colors - blue, yellow, black, green, and red ? is found in every national flag from around the world.

>>Elizabeth (Betty) Robinson Schwartz was the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track. She completed the 100-meter dash at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam in a then-world-record 12.2 seconds. After being injured in a 1931 plane crash that left her unable to crouch down for the sprint position, she began relays, and won gold in the relay at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.

>>Mattel has produced several Olympic Gold-Medal themed Barbie dolls.

>>The slogan for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing is “One World, One Dream.” It was chosen from over 210,000 entries from all over the world.

>>The gold medal for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is inspired by “bi”, an ancient Chinese jade piece inscribed with dragon pattern. The medals, made of gold and jade, symbolize nobility and virtue.

>>The medals to be awarded at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are 70mm in diameter and 6mm in thickness.

>>Jade, a symbolic Chinese gem, will feature prominently in the medals awarded at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. While the obverse side will feature the traditional Olympic illustration, the reverse will incorporate jade. The bronze medal will feature a deep green jade, while the silver will feature a lighter green jade. The gold medal will use white jade.

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