London 2012 Paralympic Medals Unveiled
Paralympic medals for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games have been unveiled at the opening of a new display at the British Museum for the Cultural Olympiad.
The medals will be made in Britain and were designed by Lin Cheung, a practising jewellery artist and senior lecturer in jewellery design.
During the Paralympic Games more than 2,100 medals will be presented in 502 Paralympic victory ceremonies at more than 19 venues over 11 days of competition.
The obverse side of the medal represents "Sprit in Motion". The image is an imagined close-up section of an outstretched wing of the Greek Goddess of Victory which has been depicted on the front of the Olympic medal since 2004. This image represents forward flight, power and lightness - a natural metaphor for the spirit of the Paralympic Games.
The reverse side of the medal represents "The Heart of Victory" - a depiction of the area close to the heart of the Greek Goddess of Victory symbolically chosen to reflect inclusion and togetherness of an historical event. To further the concept of modernity and 5th century BC authenticity, the reverse is overlaid with textural qualities moulded directly from the Plaster Cast of "The Nike of Paionios", sculptured in marble by Paionios from Mende between 425 and 421 BC. It can be seen in The Museum of Olympia in Greece.
London 2012 Chair Seb Coe said, "I'm sure the design of the medals will be a source of inspiration for the thousands of Paralympic athletes around the world who are counting down the days before they compete in what will be an amazing festival of elite sport.".
The medals will go into production later this year at the Royal Mint's headquarters.
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