THE MAKING OF OLYMPIC GOLD

As the creator of the medals for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, O.C. Tanner knows what it takes to craft the ultimate Olympic reward. Here’s a

look back at what it took 12 years ago, and how Sochi medal-maker Adamas is creating the medals today.

SALT LAKE 2002

An athlete emerged from a mountain of rock and ice, which represented the resilience of the human spirit. The figure also carried a torch symbolizing the 2002 Games’ theme, “Light the Fire Within.” This marked the first time an organizing committee’s visions statement was included on the medal itself.

FRONT

SALT LAKE 2002

Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, is depicted holding a small leaf. This symbolized the olive wreaths that were presented to winners of the ancient Olympic Games. Within Nike’s embrace, there was an illustration of the athletic event. The 2002 Games emblem and the name of the event was engraved on each medal.

BACK

SALT LAKE 2002

85mmdiameter

20ozweight

20hrsper medal

861total medals

presented

.47inthickness

O.C. TANNERminted by

The medals were designed in the shape of river rocks, like those found in Utah's streams and rivers. Part modern and part rustic, these medals embodied the spirit of the American West from the forging of the West to the technological present. Artisans hand-finished every single medal to bring out their unique characteristics.

With the gold medals, a sterling silver base was plated with six grams of 24 carat gold. It was then coated with a dark antique and then hand finished to bring out the small details resulting in a rich three dimensional field.

14kx2

Silver medals were oxidized into a rich charcoal color.

Bronze medals were plated with the fine coating of rose gold then dipped in an antiquing solution.6 GRAMS

2000˚ At 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the precious metals were brought together. The metal was rolled into half-inch thick sheets, then hit twice with 14,000 pounds per square inch. After pressing the metal, the edges were removed with a water jet applying 50,000 pounds per square inch.

SOCHI 2014

The 2014 medals represent the landscape of Sochi. Snowy mountain tops reflect the sun’s rays onto the sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast. The mosiac “patchwork quilt” of national designs represent the various culture and ethnicities of the Russian people.

FRONT

SOCHI 2014

The back of the medal depicts the Sochi 2014 emblem with Olympic rings, as well as the competition name in English.

BACK

SOCHI 2014

100mmdiameter

16ozweight

18hrsper medal

total medalspresented

1,300

.4inthickness

ADAMASminted by

Athletes who win one of the seven gold medals on February 15, 2014 will receive medals that include meteorite fragments. The date commemorates the one-year anniversary of the meteor strike in Chelyabinsk in the southern part of the country.

The thick plate of metal is casted through a method of semi-continuous casting. The cast metal is rolled in a multi-tone rolling mill.

A combination of manual work (polishing) and ultra-modern technology is used (the "patchwork quilt" design is applied with a laser inside the transparent polycarbonate material).

After the mechanical processing—turning, electro-erosion cutting, high-speed precision cutting and etching—it becomes a finished product when the edges of the medal are polished and several finishing processes take place.

INSCRIBED ON THE RIMIN THREE LANGUAGES:

XXII“

”OLYMPICWINTERGAMES

SOCHI 2014

GOLD SILVER BRONZE

Our commitment to supporting Olympic athletes has continued. Since 2000, we’ve been proud to celebrate

athletic achievements by donating unique gold rings for every member of Team USA.

Discover more at octanner.com/olympics