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• The awarding of Olympic medals is a central tradition in the Olympic Games. During the ancient olympics in Greece, the first place winner received only an olive laurel. Since the revival of the games in 1896, the top three winners have been awarded with gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively.

• Fast Facts

  1. Tradition began in 1896
  2. Originally, the silver medal was awarded to the first place athlete
  3. Each host city develops a new design for the medals
  4. Since 1928, all medals have had the same symbols on one side
  5. Opposite side is free for the host city to design
  6. Gold medals are actually silver covered in a gold leaf
  7. Medals are approximately two inches in diameter
  8. The medals awarded at the 2008 Olympics are the first to feature a non-metal material

• All-Time Gold Medal Count

  1. United States (USA): 973
  2. Russia (RUS): 473
  3. Italy (ITA): 218
  4. France (FRA): 209
  5. Germany (GER): 207
  6. Great Britain (GBR): 196
  7. East Germany (GDR): 192
  8. Sweden (SWE): 185
  9. Hungary (HUN): 156
  10. Norway (NOR): 149

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Summer Olympics 2008 | Olympic Medal Count 2008 | Summer Olympics | Olympics | Winter Olympics

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