In Tokyo Olympics 2021, the Olympic medal, which the athletes would be awarded will be made of recycled electronic devices such as discarded laptops and smartphones
This move has been applauded by all since this can help in reducing e-waste. The 2021 editions will see recycled electronic waste be used to forage the winner medals.
The history of the Olympic medal
During the Ancient Olympic Games, the athletes who emerged victorious were awarded the Olive Wreath as the prize. The Olive Wreath were made from olive branch, which grew in Olympia, which is used to form a circle or a horse shoe. Heracles introduced this prize for the winners in the races events and also to honor lord Zeus.
In 1986, the modern Olympic games began, the concept of giving medals to the successful athletes also began. But during the first Olympics in 1896, which was held in Greece, the gold medal was not given to the winners and they were awarded with the silver medal and an olive branch and the athlete who were third or runners up in the tournament were awarded a copper and a bronze medal. And in the 1900 Olympics, the winners were usually awarded with cups and trophies instead of medals.
Also read: Maana Patel Becomes First Indian Female Swimmer To Qualify For Tokyo Olympics 2021
How are Olympic medals produced and designed?
The International Olympic Committee(IOC) is the one which decides as to what physical properties would go into the making of the medal and they also decide as to how the finishing design of the Olympic medal would look like. The National Olympic Committee usually develops the specifications of the medals, although the IOC has set some rules.
The rules such as the top 3 athletes should be awarded with medals, the medal is usually circular in shape and a ribbon should be attached with it, the diameter of a medal should be 60mm at least and it should be 3mm thick at least.
The gold medal should be awarded to only those players, who come at the first position in an event. The gold medal is usually composed of at least 92.5% of silver and it should be plated with 6grams of gold. The silver medal should be awarded to only those players, who come at the second position in an event. It is usually composed of 92.5% silver. The bronze medal should be awarded to only those players, who come at the third position in an event. It is usually composed off 92.5% copper with 0.5%tin and 2.5%zinc.
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