jordenf v2.0

So I know I’m a little late on this as I was away when they were released but I just wanted to add my 2 cents on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic medals.  Personally I think they are awesome in pretty much every way!  I’m extremely biased though and I’m currently trying to figure out a way for VANOC to send some money my way so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt.

The  medals, which have been produced in 30 steps over 402 days by the Royal Canadian Mint, are based on two works of art by Corrine Hunt and reflect her First Nations Komoyue and Tlingit heritage.  The rounder Olympic medals will display an orca while the squarish Paralympic medals will feature a raven.  Hunt describes the reasoning behind the two animals being present on the medals:

The orca or the killer whale is really a beautiful creature that is strong, it has many wonderful physical characteristics but it also is a creature that lives within a community.  I felt that the Olympics are a community and would reflect not only the strength of the athletes but the strength of the movement itself.  The raven is a totem rising, it’s a creature that is all things, and I think Paralympic athletes have that in them.

As a bonus to winning a medal each athlete who earns a gold, silver or bronze will also get a silk scarf with a full  image of the orca or the raven that is displayed on the medal and how the animal fits into the larger artwork.

The medals are made from discarded circuit boards and electronic waste making them the heaviest in Olympic and Paralympic history, and because of their wavy gravy design no two medals will be identical.  The reverse side of the medals display the name of the Games in English and French, and include the Vancouver 2010 logo and the name of the sport for which the medal was issued.  One of my favourite features it that the Paralympic medals will also have braille type (see image below and to the right).  Sweet!

Let me know know what you think!  And if you want more info you can visit the ‘Meet the Medals’ section on the Vancouver 2010 website to find out about the inspiration behind them… and if you are feeling to lazy to read about them they have a video as well.

Go Canada Go!

jordenf

If you are interested in more goodies on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games you can read some of my past blog posts on Vancouver 2010.