Olympic Medals

[Elfie]

I've always wondered, are the Gold medals actually solid gold or just gold plated?

[Masherbrum]

Today's "gold" medals are actually sterling silver covered with a thin coat (.21 ounces) of pure gold.

[Ripsnort]

With this stamped on the back of it:

[Monty405]

theres no chocolate inside? sucks.

[Nilsen]

I read somewere that there is a total of one kg of gold in all the medals combined.

[Elfie]

Today's "gold" medals are actually sterling silver covered with a thin coat (.21 ounces) of pure gold.

Well that kinda blows......


IOC is freakin cheap.   

[trax1]

You know I was thinking this exact same thing when I was watching Phelps and the others taking pics for the photogs and holding them up.  I was thinking if those things are solid gold then they have to be worth a nice chunk of change.

[Holden McGroin]

You know I was thinking this exact same thing when I was watching Phelps and the others taking pics for the photogs and holding them up.  I was thinking if those things are solid gold then they have to be worth a nice chunk of change.

Lets see...  average of 4 hours a day of training, 6 days a week, four years between Olympics,

Call it 4 X 6 X 52 X 4 = 4992 Hours  round to 5000 hours.

let's say they could be making $20 / hr working somewhere, that's $100,000 in training time alone.

seems like they are already worth a good chunk of change.

[Holden McGroin]

Hey! Google knows what sport is primary at the games!

[SlapShot]

The medals are designed with inspiration from "bi", China's ancient jade piece inscribed with dragon pattern. The medals, made of gold and jade, symbolize nobility and virtue and are embodiment of traditional Chinese values of ethics and honor.

The medals are 70mm in diameter and 6mm in thickness. On their obverse side, the medals adopt the standard design prescribed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- a drawing that represents the winged goddess of victory Nike and Panathinaikos Arena, while on their reverse side, the medals are inlaid with jade with the Beijing Games emblem engraved in the metal centerpiece.

Noble and elegant, the medals are a blending of traditional Chinese culture and the Olympism. It gives the winners of the Games great honor and acclamation as recognition of their achievement.

The IOC has strict stipulation on the Olympic medals' material, identification, weight, size and drawing. The medals for the champion and the runner-up are made of pure silver, and the champion's medal must be plated with gold weighing not less than six grams each. For the first time jade is used for the Olympic medals. The design not only meets the IOC requirements, but also expresses praise and honor that the Chinese people cherish for the Olympic Spirit and the Olympic athletes.

[avionix]

but also expresses praise and honor that the Chinese people cherish for the Olympic Spirit and the Olympic athletes.

But yet they will allow underage children to compete? 

[ODBAL]

But yet they will allow underage children to compete? 

I'm still wondering why this is such a big deal?  If a 14 year old can fairly beat competitors of an older age, how is this unfair?  It's not like the Little League World Series where countries are bringing in 18 year olds claiming that they are 12.  If anything, in my opinion, it makes it even more impressive.

[Rash]

Maybe some of the other countries had some very good 14 year old athletes?  They just followed the rules and made them stay at home.

[ODBAL]

I see your point, although I doubt there are many athletes so gifted they can "play up" against the worlds best at age 14.  I think it is a stupid rule, there is no advantage a 14 year old has against a 16 year old based on their age.  Unless maybe it's for the Hide-and-seek competition... Which the way the Olympics are going could be a legitimate event by 2012. 

[Rash]

It's a stupid rule.