London’s Olympic Medals: Traditional meets Modern

These silver, gold, and bronze medals will be handed out during the 2012 Summer Olympics.

There are several things in which Olympic enthusiasts are interested every two years. One of those things is the design of the Olympic medals. London’s organizing committee unveiled the designs several months ago, but I wanted to wait until the Games were closer before I wrote about them.

Tradition Continues. The front of the medal continues to use Nike and the Panathinaikos, which is the design used since 2004 (and the concept used since 1928). Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, is departing from Panathinaikos, or Panathinaiko Stadium, the Athens stadium where the first Modern Olympics were held in 1896. The Parthenon can be seen in the distance. Nike is carrying the Olympic torch, with the design suggesting she is departing Athens and arriving in the host city.

A Modern Flip Side. It’s on the reverse side of the medals where London incorporates its preference for modern art and design. The official logo of the 2012 Games is visible in the center, with an abstract design of grid lines behind it, resembling lines of strobe lighting. However, the London 2012 website states that the design actually incorporates “five symbolic elements.” They are:

• Its curved background implies a bowl, similar to the design of an amphitheater (an homage to AncientGreece?).
• The core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern city, deliberately jewel-like.
• The grid suggests both a pulling together and a sense of outreach an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes’ efforts.
• The River Thames (look for a squiggly line) in the background is a symbol for London and also suggests a fluttering baroque ribbon, adding a sense of celebration.
• The square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design, emphasizing its focus on the center and reinforcing the sense of ‘place’ as in a map inset.

The medals were designed by decorative artist David Watkins. What’s funny is that the gold medal is 92.5% silver and only 1.34% gold (the remaining 6.16% is copper). I’d hoped to read that the metal at least was mined in England, Scotland, or Wales, but rather the metal comes from Mongolia and Utah.

I’ll be honest: They’re simpler than Beijing’s classy design, but they could have been worse. They’re not bad, but I suppose that since I’m a traditionalist, I’d hoped for something more…traditional. London seems determined to be recognized as a modern city. The 2012 official logo design is very modern, and the medal design is no different. London has come out stating that she is a city full of history and tradition yet modern as well, just like the medals to be awarded later this summer.

Will these medals stand out in my mind in another 20 years? Perhaps not. But they will be memorable for those athletes who take one or more home with them.

Faster, Higher, Stronger.