Design of Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals revealed: Details here
The Olympics'>2020 Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan and organizers have unveiled the newly designed medals which reflect the 'energy' of athletes. The new design was showcased with a year to go for the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Games. Interestingly, the medals for the Tokyo Olympics will be made from old recycled electronics. Here's more.
Sustainable medals for the first time in Olympics
The medals to be awarded at the 2020 Olympics are designed to resemble polished stones. For the first time, sustainable medals are being used in Olympics history, according to organizers. Interestingly, about 32 kg of gold was extracted from used mobile phones (estimated 6.2 million). These phones were donated over the past two years by the Japanese public.
Credit to Japan for producing the recycled material
The Japanese also recovered 3.5 tonnes of silver and 2.2 tonnes of bronze to make around 5,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals. All the three medals are intended to resemble rough stones that have been polished. The 2016 Rio Olympics also saw an element of recycled material being used, but Japan's production of the same is much higher.
The medals symbolize energy of the athletes
"The medals collect and reflect myriad patterns of light, symbolising the energy of the athletes and those who support them. It's also intended to symbolize diversity and represent a world where people who compete in sports and work hard are honored," the organizers said.
Key info about the Tokyo 2020 medals
The medals will weigh between 450 and 556 grams each. The decision to extract metals from mobile phones was done as a part of a campaign to make Tokyo 2020 ecofriendly. Also, the medals will come with ribbons that use traditional Japanese chequered patterns and graphics. It symbolizes kimono layering technique and there is a beautiful balance between the medals and the ribbons.
Japan set to give athletes a different experience
According to a report in the BBC, the Tokyo Olympics will have four different robots at venues. This will include versions of mascots Miraitowa and Someity. The robots will be able to wave, shake hands and greet visitors as well. Other models will collect hammers, javelins, discuses and shot puts set to be used in the throwing events.
Thomas Bach impressed with Tokyo's preparations
Tokyo has impressed International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach. "I can truly say I have never seen an Olympic city as prepared as Tokyo, with one year to go. All the elements that make a truly outstanding Olympics are in place," he said to AFP.
