The organizers of the 2016 Rio Games and the Brazilian Mint have unveiled this year’s Olympic medal designs.
According to a release from the organization, the medals’ front design combines images of Greek heroes with the traditional laurel wreath to represent the forces of nature. The back features Nike, the Greek God of victory, with Acropolis and the Panathinaiko Stadium at his back.
Organizers said they designed the 500-gram gold, silver and bronze medals with sustainability in mind. The first-place gold medals followed strict sustainability criteria and are 100 percent free of mercury.
Additionally, the silver and bronze medals contain 30 percent recycled materials. Finally, the ribbons attached to each medal are made from 50 percent PET (short for polyester polyethylene terephthalate) material, reportedly sourced from recycled plastic bottles.
Also, the 2,642 medals made for the Paralympic Games will feature an encased device that will create noise when shaken. This will reportedly allow visually impaired athletes to recognize which category of medal they’ve won, with gold sounding the loudest and bronze quietest.
Each winner will also receive a small carrying case made with wood approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and craft of the medals. Last week, the commemorative souvenir medallions were revealed. You can find purchasing info for those here.