London 2012: Metal used to make medals
THE first metal that will be used to make London Olympics medals was handed over to organisers
James Cracknell, who won rowing gold in the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games, said: “Nothing beats the incredible feeling of winning an Olympic medal.
“Seeing the ore that will make the London 2012 medals brings the Games a step closer for the 14,700 athletes expected to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
More than eight tonnes of gold, silver and copper will be extracted and refined to make the 4,700 gold, silver and bronze medals for winners.
Tom Albanese, Rio Tinto chief executive, presented a rock containing glittering veins of copper to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He said: “In just over a year’s time, the lumps of rock and metal arriving today will have been turned into the gleaming medals around the necks of the world’s elite athletes at the peak of their sporting careers.”
Mr Deighton added: “Receiving the ore from Rio Tinto that will become the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals is an exciting moment for us all at LOCOG and for everyone involved in the staging of the Games.
“With just over one year to go to, this is another milestone that brings the Games even closer for athletes across the globe who are training in the hope that they will win an Olympic or Paralympic medal.”
MEDAL FACTS
How much are all the medals worth?
At the most recent games in Vancouver: The gold – £310, the silver – £163, and the bronze £1.88
It was not until the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis that the Games introduced the gold medal as the prize for first place.
London 2012 Medals facts
Approximately 2,100 Olympic medals will be presented in 302 Olympic victory ceremonies in over 30 venues
Approximately 2,300 Paralympic medals will be presented in 502 Paralympic victory ceremonies in 19 venues
The gold medal is made up of 92.5% silver, 1.34% Gold with the remainder copper (a minimum of 6g of gold)
The silver medal is made up of 92.5% silver with the remainder copper
The bronze medal is made up of 97.0% Copper, 2.5% Zinc and 0.5% Tin
