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Beijing 2022 Unveils Olympic Medals Inspired By Ancient Jade
By Mikelle Leow, 27 Oct 2021
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Image via International Olympic Committee
With exactly 100 days to go before the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, the Beijing Organizing Committee on Tuesday unraveled official medal designs for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. The medals, named ‘Tong Xin’ (Together as One), are thoughtfully minimal in appearance but steeped in history, drawing from the look of traditional jade pendants.
Five concave rings are embedded into the front of the medals, not only to unite the five Olympic rings and channel the Olympic spirit but also to represent ancient jade circle pendants.
Traditional Chinese motifs of ice, snow, and clouds are also carved between the rings as a nod to the season in which the games will be held.
A jade pendant (left) found during the Western Han dynasty. Image via International Olympic Committee
The names of the events are engraved into the Olympic and Paralympic medals, of course, with the latter including Braille beads as well. Their backs spell out the Games’ Chinese names.
A jade pendant (left) excavated in Anhui, China. Image via International Olympic Committee
The designs honor the Beijing Organizing Committee’s vision for a “streamlined, safe and splendid” sporting event with their “simple and classic” design, the International Olympic Committee details. In fact, they’re reminiscent of the jade-inlaid medals of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, bringing to mind the city’s position as the first to host both Summer and Winter Games.
The #Beijing2022 medals have been unveiled! 😍🔥🏅
Posted by Olympics on Wednesday, October 27, 2021
The designs honour the jade-inlaid medals of the Beijing 2008 Olympics,...
🎉With exactly 1️⃣0️⃣ 0️⃣days to go before the start of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the design of the medals that will be awarded at the Games has been unveiled! 🏅️🥈🥉#beijing2022 #medal #Olympics pic.twitter.com/c5Zi9gZETe
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) October 26, 2021
[via International Olympic Committee]
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