Olympic medal - a sign of distinction, which is awarded to the winners and prize-winners of the competition (both individual and team)held as part of the Olympic Games under the auspices of the IOC. It is one of the essential attributes of modern Olympic movement. Design offered organizing committee games and approved by the IOC.

The International Olympic Committee has the following requirements for Olympic medals and the procedure for awarding winners and prize-winners:

medals are awarded to athletes who take the first three places:

Gold - for the first place;

Silver - for the second place;

Bronze - for third place.

The regulations for some competitions provide for two third places (boxing, wrestling, etc.). Such regulations are proposed, approved and regulated by the relevant international sports federations and the International Olympic Committee.

It is possible to award several medals of the same value - for equality of results. In such cases, the silver medal is not awarded if two or more gold medals are awarded. The bronze medal is not awarded if two or more silver or three or more gold medals are awarded.

materials from which the medals are made:

Gold and silver medals must be made of at least 925 silver;

The gold medal must be covered with at least 6 grams of gold;

A bronze medal is made from copper alloys with zinc, tin or other impurities. metals;

requirements for the shape and design of the Olympic medal:

Minimum diameter - 60 mm;

Minimum thickness - 3 mm;

The surface must be engraved with the sport in which the medal was won;

In addition to awarding the winners and prize-winners of the Olympic Games, the practice of presenting commemorative Olympic medals to all participants, judges, and officials has developed.

Interesting Facts:

• On I and II Olympic Games (1896, 1900) medals were awarded only for 1st and 2nd places.
• All medals of the Summer Olympic Games - round shape. The only exception was the rectangular “plaquettes”, which were awarded to the winners, prize-winners and participants in the competitions of the II Olympic Games of 1900 in Paris. Medals winter olympics are less conservative.
• Twice medals were minted from gold of a sample not lower than 583 - for the winners of the competitions at the 1908 Olympic Games in London and 1912 in Stockholm.
• The medal of the Stockholm Games in 1912 became the smallest and lightest in the history of the Olympic movement: thickness - 1.5 mm, diameter - 33.4 mm, weight - 24 grams. The gold medal was made of pure gold and was awarded only to the winners in the individual championship. The winners in the team championship were awarded silver with gilding.
• In the manufacture of Olympic medals, designers used, in addition to metals, various natural and synthetic materials: Norwegian granite (Lillehammer 1994), crystal (Alberville 1992), jade (Beijing 2008) and others.

Olympic medal - a distinction for personal or team sports achivments in competition for Olympic Games, is also considered a paraphernalia used by the International Olympic Committee to promote the idea of ​​the Olympic Movement around the world.

The Olympic medal has a certain gradation:

• · Golden medal- for the first place;
• Silver medal for second place
• Bronze medal for third place.

In the competitions of the Ancient Olympic Games, the award was not a medal, it was created much later. In antiquity, the awards could be anything: Hercules was awarded a wreath of wild olive, in the subsequent Hellenic national Olympic games, various prizes were played. King Endymion gave up his kingdom for the victory, but his sons were the participants. The winner received a large amount of gold coins, fame and different values. For 293 Olympiads Ancient Greece many prizes were awarded to approximately 330 participants, but not a single medal was forged and donated.

For the first time, the decision to introduce the tradition of awarding the winners of the Olympic Games with medals was made by the First Olympic Congress in 1894, two years before the First Olympic Games, held in France, in the city of Paris. All the basic rules of awards and fundamental principles were spelled out in the main collection of statutory documents of the Olympic Movement - the Olympic Charter. The basic principle described in the Olympic Charter was the distribution of medals to the winners depending on occupied places: the first and second place athletes are awarded 925 silver medals, and the winner's medal must be covered with six grams of pure gold (the sample is not specified). The diameter of the medal itself is about 60 mm, the thickness is 3 mm. For the 3rd place athletes are awarded with bronze medals. Dimensions have been set, but they have changed over the years. They also changed the shape, the usual round shape was canceled in 1900 at the Games of the II Olympiad, and at the III Winter Olympic medals: gold, silver and bronze are awarded to three athletes who showed the best results in the competition. In team sports, all team members receive medals of equal value.

The design of the medals awarded to athletes at the first eight Summer Olympic Games was different and was developed by each Organizing Committee independently. From 1920 to 2000, a standard design was used for the obverse of Olympic medals. Goddess Nike with a palm branch in right hand honoring the winner. The reverse of the medal changed depending on the wishes of the country where the Games were held. Since 2004, this tradition has been abandoned, and both sides of the medal are made according to the unique design of the organizers of the Games.

The 2008 Games medal was 70 mm in diameter and 6 mm thick.

Gold medals, as a rule, are made mainly of silver. So, at the 2008 Games, the gold medal weighed about 150 grams, which included about 6 grams of gold. Silver medals are made from silver, bronze from copper.

At the games of 1896 and 1900, only athletes who took 1st and 2nd place were awarded medals. There was no gold medal then, and only silver and bronze were awarded. Moreover, at the Games of 1900 in many types of medals were not awarded at all, but instead the organizers awarded the participants with cups and diplomas. However, for consistency in reference literature, gold, silver, and bronze medals are used for these games as well.

Until 1960, medals were made without fasteners and were handed to the winners directly into their hands. Organizers of the 1960 Games in Rome for the first time made thin bronze chains in the shape of an olive branch so that medals could be hung around the necks of athletes. It is interesting that, introducing an innovation not provided for by the rules, the organizers secured themselves and handed scissors to the girls who took out medals for awarding, in order to quickly cut the chains in case of objections. However, they liked the idea, and since then chains or ribbons have been attached to Olympic medals.

The most distinctive medals were cast for the Winter Olympic Games: XI in 1972, XIX winter Olympic Games in 2002, and in 1998 for the XVIII Games, medals were produced with an additional slot, melted on top, for convenient threading of the ribbon. This idea began to be applied later in almost all Olympic medals.

Award ceremonies. olympic symbols award anthem

The award ceremonies must be held in accordance with the protocol defined by the IOC. Medals and diplomas are presented by the Organizing Committee for presentation by the International Olympic Committee to which they belong.

Medals at the Olympic Games are awarded by the President of the IOC (or a member of the IOC designated by him), accompanied by the President of the relevant IF (or his deputy), if possible immediately after the end of the competition and at the same place where it was held. Medals are awarded as follows: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place athletes take their places on the podium (they must be dressed in their official or sports uniform), facing the official tribune, the winner is slightly higher than the second prize-winner, standing to his right, and the third prize-winner, who is to his left. The names of these winners are announced, as well as those who are awarded an Olympic diploma. The flag of the delegation of the country of the winning athlete is raised on the central mast, and the flags of the countries of the second and third prize-winners are raised on adjacent masts, to the right and left of the central one, if you are facing the arena. During the playing (abbreviated version) of the national anthem in honor of the winner, all three medalists stand facing the flags.

In individual competitions, first prize consists of a gilded silver medal and diploma, second prize consists of a silver medal and diploma, and third prize consists of a bronze medal and diploma. The medals must indicate the sport and type of competition for which they are awarded, and the medals are attached to a detachable chain or ribbon so that they can be worn around the athlete's neck. Athletes who take fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth places also receive a diploma, but not a medal. In case of equality of results for the first, second or third place, each of the participants is entitled to a medal and a diploma.

in team sports and team competition in other sports, each member of the winning team that participated during the Olympic Games, in at least one match or competition, is entitled to a gilded medal and a diploma, each member of the second-place team - a silver medal and a diploma of the third-place team - bronze medal and diploma. The remaining members of these teams are only eligible to receive a diploma. Members of the teams that took the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth places receive diplomas.

Closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

The closing ceremony must be held at the stadium at the end of all competitions. Participants of the Olympic Games, who have the right to be accommodated in the Olympic Village, take their places in the stands. The flag bearers of the participating delegations and those carrying banners enter the stadium in column one at a time in the same order and occupy the same places in the center of the field as at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Athletes march behind them, without distinction of nationality. The standard-bearers form a semicircle behind the podium.

The President of the IOC and the President of the OCOG rise to the podium. To the sounds of Greek national anthem the flag of Greece is hoisted on the mast to the right of the center mast used in the awards ceremony. The flag of the host country is then hoisted on the center mast while the anthem is being played. Finally, on the left mast, to the sounds of the anthem of the host country of the next Olympic Games, its flag is raised.

The Mayor of the host city joins the IOC President on the podium and passes the Olympic flag to him. The President of the IOC hands it over to the mayor of the host city of the next Olympic Games. This flag must be displayed in the main city hall of the host city of the next Olympic Games.

After the address of the President of the OCOG, the President of the IOC makes a closing speech, declares the Olympic Games closed and names the city where the next Games will be held.

Sounds of fanfares are heard, extinguished olympic fire and to the sounds of the Olympic anthem, the Olympic flag is slowly lowered from the flagpole and carried (unfolded, in a horizontal position) from the field, followed by the flag bearers. A farewell song is being played.

At the 1896 Games, the winner received a silver medal, the second prize-winner - a bronze one. And that's it! At the 1900 Olympic Games, no medals were awarded at all. And only then, finally, a medal of the highest dignity appeared.

In individual competitions, the first prize consists of a gilded medal and diploma, the second prize consists of a silver medal and diploma, and the third prize consists of a bronze medal and diploma. Medals must indicate the sport and type of competition for which they are awarded. Medals must be at least 60mm in diameter and 3mm thick. Medals for the first and second places must be silver, not less than 925 - 1000 fineness, and the medal for the first place must be gilded (not less than 6 grams of pure gold). That is why it is called golden.

In team sports and in team competitions in other sports, each member of the winning team and prize-winning teams who participated in at least one match or competition during the Olympic Games are entitled to a medal and a diploma, respectively, for their places. The remaining members of these teams are only eligible to receive a diploma.

Athletes who take places from fourth to eighth in individual and team competitions receive IOC diplomas.

The medals and diplomas awarded on the occasion of the Winter Olympic Games must be different from those used at the Games of the Olympiad.

Commemorative diplomas and commemorative medals are awarded to all participants of the Games and team officials.

In case of disqualification of an Olympic athlete, his medal(s) and diploma(s) must be returned to the IOC.

Since recently, the winners and prize-winners of the Olympic competitions, in addition to medals, have also been awarded badges, respectively - gold, silver, bronze. For special services to the Olympic Movement, the IOC awards a sports figure or athlete with the Olympic Order. This is a very high and valuable award.

There are many citizens of our country among those awarded with the Olympic Order. The highest Golden Olympic Order was awarded: in 1992. the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, in 1998. Mayor of Moscow Yu.M. Luzhkov, in 2001 President of Russia V.V. Putin. The Silver Order was awarded to outstanding athletes, coaches, sports leaders, specialists, statesmen.

For the entire period of existence of the USSR Olympic Committee, 20 people have been awarded the Olympic Orders of the IOC. In 1992-2001 37 people were awarded, which indicates the increased authority of the Russian Olympic Committee in the international sports movement, recognition of the merits of the Russian Federation by the IOC.

4.8. Olympic anthem

The Olympic anthem is approved by the International Olympic Committee at the 55th session of 1958 in Tokyo, the notes (scores) of which are stored at the IOC headquarters.

All rights to olympic symbol, flag, motto and anthem belong exclusively to the International Olympic Committee.

5. Olympism, Olympic Movement, Olympic Games. Olympics.

Olympism, the Olympic movement and the Olympic Games are the most important social phenomena in international life.

The concept of modern Olympism belongs to Pierre de Coubertin.

Olympism is a philosophy of life that uplifts and unites in a balanced whole the dignity of the body, will and mind. Olympism, which combines sport with culture and education, strives to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, on the educational value of a good example, and on respect for universal basic ethical principles.

The goal of olympism is the universal placing of sport at the service of harmonious development in order to contribute to the creation of a peaceful society that cares about the preservation of human dignity.

Olympic Movement, led by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), originates in modern Olympism.

Under the supreme authority of the IOC, the Olympic Movement brings together organizations, athletes and others who agree to be bound by the Olympic Charter. The criterion for belonging to the Olympic Movement is recognition by the International Olympic Committee.

Purpose of the Olympic Movement– to contribute to building a better world by educating young people through sports without any discrimination and in the spirit of respect for the principles of Olympism, which includes mutual understanding, friendship, an atmosphere of solidarity and fair play.

The activities of the Olympic Movement are permanent and universal. Its pinnacle is the unification of world athletes at a grandiose sports festival - the Olympic Games.

The organizational basis of the Olympic movement, in addition to the IOC, is made up of national Olympic committees, international and national sports federations that are included in the program of the Olympic Games. Of course, other international sports organizations that share its goals and objectives can participate in the Olympic Movement.

The Olympic movement is not something frozen, it is developing, enriched with new ideas, its ties with state structures and various public associations are being strengthened.

Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in individual or team events, and not between countries. This is the great celebration of the youth of the world. The Games bring together the strongest athletes of all countries in fair and equal competition. They realize the goals of Olympism and the Olympic movement.

The Olympic Games consist of the Games of the Olympiad and the Winter Olympic Games, each held every four years.

The Olympic Games reflect the level of modern life like a mirror. They attract the close attention of millions of people on our planet, express the irresistible desire of mankind for peace and progress.

The Olympic Games are held in full accordance with the Olympic Charter and perform important pedagogical and social functions. They have great educational and educational value. The Olympic fire, the Olympic oath, the hoisting of national flags, the performance of national anthems in honor of the victory of athletes, the awarding ceremony of the winners - all this brings up noble patriotic feelings in people.

At the same time, modern Olympism, the Olympic movement and the Olympic Games, developing in the conditions of great contradictions inherent in the modern world, represent a complex process. Various theories, views and concepts on the essence of Olympism, the Olympic movement, the Games, their present and future are colliding.

Olympics.

The term "Olympiad" means the period of four consecutive years beginning with the Games of the Olympiad and ending with the opening of the Games of the next Olympiad. Moreover, and in modern history sports, as well as in ancient Greece, the score for the Olympics is kept. The Summer Olympic Games take place in the first year of the Olympics.

If for some reason the Games of any Olympiad were not held, then the Olympiad will end four years after the beginning of the previous Olympiad, and a new Olympiad begins from that day.

The Olympiads are counted consecutively from the first modern Olympic Games (Games of the Olympiad), which were celebrated in Athens in 1896.

For the winners Olympic competitions have always been highly respected. Even at the Games in Ancient Greece, the victories of athletes were accompanied by an honorary ritual. Centuries have made amendments to this ritual, but the meaning remained the same: to pay tribute to the inexhaustible physical and spiritual capabilities of man.

The winner was awarded with a wreath of olive and palm branches, which the children had previously cut with a golden knife from an old sacred tree. In honor of the winner at Olympia, a statue was erected, which was an honor not only for the champion himself, but also for the city or tribe that he represented.

The return of the winners to their homeland looked like a solemn holiday. Often, special passages were cut through for them in the city wall. Laudatory odes and songs were composed in their honor, they were assigned best places at the festivities.

The Olympic Charter has precisely defined awards for the winners of the Games of our time. Medals and diplomas are awarded to athletes who took the first three places in individual and team competitions, and those who took 4-8th places - with diplomas.

It was established that the Olympic medal must be at least sixty millimeters in diameter and at least three millimeters thick. A gold medal is awarded for 1st place. It is made of silver and covered with six grams of gold. A silver medal is awarded for 2nd place, and a bronze medal for 3rd place. If two or more athletes share prizes, then they all receive medals and diplomas corresponding to the highest place. In team competitions, medals and diplomas are awarded to all team members.

Journalists and statisticians, determining the results of the Games in team competitions, evaluate the medals received by the team as one award, although all its participants received medals.

The ceremony of awarding the champion and prize-winners of the Games is especially colorful. When the winners of the competitions rise to the podium at the solemn signal, the attention of all those present is riveted to them.

The awards are presented by the President of the International Olympic Committee or one of its members. On the central masts, the flags of the countries that have delegated the champion and prize-winners to the Games are raised. During this ceremony, the national anthem of the homeland of the champion is played.

Unfortunately, there are voices from some figures in the international Olympic movement: they say that the ceremony of raising flags and singing hymns should be cancelled. And the more significant are the successes of sportsmen from the socialist and developing countries, the more insistent are the demands of some representatives of the capitalist countries to cancel the traditional ceremony. A worthy rebuff to these attempts was given at the X Olympic Congress. The USSR NOC said in a statement: “We consider the noble traditions of awarding the winners of the Olympic Games not just as a formal designation of an athlete’s belonging to a particular country, but as a symbol embodying the equality of nations, their mutual respect and friendship. The cancellation of such a ceremony does not meet patriotic feelings, belittles the role of national Olympic organizations.”

The point of view of the Soviet delegation was supported by the overwhelming majority of the congress participants.

In addition to award medals, commemorative medals are established at the Olympic Games. They, as well as diplomas, are awarded to all participants of the Games and officials who are members of the Olympic teams of countries. All arbitrators and their assistants from the judging boards of the Games are also awarded.

At the Olympic Games, no other awards are given, except for medals and diplomas. In case of disqualification of an athlete awarded a medal, it must be returned.

Of course, athletes who have repeatedly won Olympic awards enjoy special honor. Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina is the owner of 18 Olympic medals - 9 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze. Boris Shakhlin has 13 awards, including 7 gold. Japanese gymnast Sawao Kato has 12 awards (8 gold). The legendary Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi is the owner of 9 gold and 3 silver medals. American swimmer Mark Spitz has 9 gold and one silver and one bronze medal each. At the Games in Seoul, the swimmer from the GDR, Christina Otto, won 6 gold medals.

At the Winter Olympics, the Swedish skier Sixten Ernberg and the Soviet skier Raisa Smetanina have the most awards - they each have 9 medals. Galina Kulakova has one less award. But the owner of the largest number of gold medals is Soviet athlete Lydia Skoblikova, who won 6 top awards. Fabulous hockey goalie Vladislav Tretyak - the owner of 3 gold and silver medals.

Athletes who take the first three places are awarded Olympic medals. Medal size: diameter not less than 60 and thickness not less than 3 millimeters. The medal depicts the emblem of the sport in which it was won. A gold medal is awarded for first place. It is made of silver and covered with a layer of pure gold. A silver medal is awarded for second place and a bronze medal for third place.

Athletes who take the first six places are awarded with diplomas. If two or more participants share a prize place, then all of them receive awards (medals or diplomas) corresponding to the highest place.

In team competitions, all participants of the winning teams receive personal medals and diplomas.