On the subject of the Olympics, earlier this week the medals were revealed to the world. Designed by David Watkins, I like the purple ribbons (for the Queen’s diamond jubilee) and I like the fact that they’ve used the Greek goddess of victory, Nike on the front (however, I think this is used in all summer olympics imagery.) I still don’t like the logo, even if it is in gold, but I like the use of the thames, which looks like a finish line ribbon. The square on the medal is said to  ’reinforce the sense of place, as in a map inset’ and the grid behind is said to ’radiate energy and represents athletes’ achievements and effort,’ but I think it confuses the design slightly and distracts from the focal point, being the logo.

Here is a list of facts about the new design of these medals:

  1. The ore for the medals comes from London 2012 sponsor Rio Tinto’s Utah Copper Mine in Salt Lake City, US, and Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia. The medals will go into production later this year at the Royal Mint’s headquarters in Llantrisant, south Wales.
  2. The front of each medal carries the same imagery as at every summer games: the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, stepping out of the Parthenon to arrive in the host city.
  3. The rim of each medal will have the sport and discipline of its winner engraved on it.
  4. The reverse of each medal carries a bespoke design featuring:
  5. The River Thames, a symbol of London that also ‘suggests a fluttering baroque ribbon’.
  6. The square on the medal ‘reinforces the sense of place, as in a map inset’.
  7. The 2012 logo is given a 3D representation as ‘a metaphor for the modern city’.
  8. The background grid ‘radiates energy and represents athletes’ achievements and effort’.
  9. Finally, all ribbons will be coloured royal purple in the year of the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Found via The Guardian