The medal has not always been the symbol of victory at the Olympic Games.
In ancient times, when the games were still held exclusively at Olympia in Greece, victory was celebrated in several ways.
At that time, the winner received a laurel wreath, the leaves of which came from a sacred olive tree located near the Temple of Zeus in Greece. Considered sacred, the wreath symbolized peace and victory.

Besides the laurel wreath, the winners of the Games were celebrated with poems or statues made in their honor.
They also received material rewards, such as amphorae filled with oil . These amphorae were very valuable at the time. The winner could also be exempt from taxes.
Finally, celebrations and parades were organized to celebrate the victory.

At the Olympic Games , victory was a huge honor for the winner, but also for the entire city from which he came.
The inscription of the names of the victors in the registers gave them immortal status.

The tradition of the laurel wreath to celebrate victory was revived for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Since abandoned, only the spirit of celebration and cohesion of a people, a nation, a team in the face of victory remains.
Although the practice of sports has changed since ancient times, some traditions remain. For example, the Olympic flame is always lit in Olympia before being carried to the host country of the Olympic Games.

In 1896, at the time of the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens, there were only two types of medals.
The silver medal is awarded to the winner, while the bronze medal is reserved for the runner-up. Gold is not used because it is considered too precious.
For the 1900 Olympic Games held in Paris, no medals were awarded; it was not until the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, USA, that gold, silver, and bronze were used to reward the winners.
In 1924 in Paris, the Summer Olympic Games were joined by the Winter Olympic Games held in Chamonix.
For 40 years the design of the medals remained unchanged and was attributed to Giuseppe Cassioli .
Today, the design of the Winter Games medals is free.

Here's a brief overview of the history of Olympic medals. If you'd like to know more,

Visit the "Gold, Silver and Bronze" exhibition at La Monnaie de Paris until September 22, 2024.

Plexiglass display for coins & medals

I buy the plexiglass medal display

Plexiglas display for coins

I buy the small Z plexiglass display

The whole of Seine-Saint-Denis will be beating to the rhythm of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As the host city of the games, Saint-Ouen sur Seine is all the more committed to offering everyone a place to celebrate and share during this period.
Saint-Ouen welcomes the Brazilian delegation to its territory, which suggests a very festive atmosphere.

Flea market owners for over 30 years, here are our 6 things to do and see in Saint-Ouen during the 2024 Olympic Games.