Artefacts

Reference record. Tokyo 2020, winner's medal, gold.

Physical description

Obverse: goddess Nike inspired by the statue of de Paionios (Paeonius) holding a victory wreath with the Panathinaiko Stadium and the Acropolis on the background, caption: "Games of the XXXII Olympiad Tokyo 2020". Reverse: Games' emblem and graphic elements forming circles. Pink and blue ribbon according to the Look of the Games.

Created

Created: The Japanese Mint Created: Elena VOTSI Created: Asao TOKORO Created: Junichi KAWANISHI

Materials

gold, textile, polyester

Colors

blue, white, multi coloured, gold, pink

Dimension

ø 8.5 x 1.2 cm, 462 g

Literature

Le Centre d'Etudes Olympiques. Les médailles des Jeux Olympiques d'été d'Athènes 1896 à Tokyo 2020. Le Centre d'Etudes Olympiques, 2019 The Olympic Studies Centre. Olympic Summer Games Medals from Athens 1896 to Tokyo 2020. The Olympic Studies Centre, 2019 Summer Olympic Games. Organizing Committee. 32, 2020, Tokyo. TOKYO 2020 OFFICIAL REPORT / THE TOKYO ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES. 2020

Type of item

Medals -> winner's medal

Reference number

160359

Keywords

antique sculpture Tokyo 2020, Olympic Games Panathenaic Stadium victory visual identity Laurel

Notes

Created by Junichi Kawanishi, the design represents the daily striving for victory by the athletes, as well as their energy and that of the people who support them. The ribbons employ traditional Japanese design motifs, with: - ichimatsu moyo: the chequered pattern; and - kasane no irome: traditional kimono layering techniques for the women of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1185). Between April 2017 and March 2019, an operation to collect old mobile phones, handheld games, cameras and laptops was organised all over Japan. This produced a total of: - 30.3kg of gold, - 4,100kg of silver and - 2,700kg of bronze. These metals were then melted down and used to make the medals.