Beijing 2022 medals unveiled
Beijing (IOC/FIL) The medals for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were unveiled in China on 26 October as part of a series of activities planned to celebrate the 100 days to go until the start of the Olympic Winter Games.
The design of the medals was unveiled at a ceremony in Beijing. The medals reflect the culture and spirit of the host country and showcase innovative ideas and inspiring creativity of the artists.
They consist of rings and a centre based on the ancient Chinese concentric circle pendants made of jade, with five rings representing the Chinese cultural meaning of "the unity of heaven and earth and the unity of people's hearts". The design also symbolises the Olympic spirit that brings people together from all over the world to participate in the Games.
The design of the medals is reminiscent of the jade-coloured medals of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and underlines the importance of Beijing as the first "dual Olympic city" to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games emblem is engraved in the centre of the back of the medals. The name of each medal event is engraved on the outermost ring on the back of the medal, while 24 dots and arcs are also engraved on the rings, similar to an ancient astronomical map. This symbolises the vast starry sky, the harmony between man and nature and the ambition of the athletes to perform at their best during the Games.
The medal ribbon is woven using the traditional method of mulberry silk. The ice and snow pattern is printed with the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games emblem, the words "Beijing 2022" and other elements. The red ribbon reflects the cultural features of the Chinese Spring Festival and conveys the best wishes of the festival to the athletes.
The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games will begin on 4 February and end on 20 February. This will be followed by the Paralympic Games, which will take place from 4 to 13 March.
photos: Olympic.org
