Page "Olympic medal" Paragraph 20

In 1923 the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) launched a competition for sculptors to design the medals for the Summer Olympic Games.

Giuseppe Cassioli's Trionfo design was chosen as the winner in 1928.

The obverse brought back Nike but this time as the main focus, holding a winner's crown and palm with a depiction of the Colosseum in the background.

In the top right section of the medal a space was left for the name of the Olympic host and the Games numeral.

The reverse features a crowd of people carrying a triumphant athlete.

His winning design was first presented at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.

The competition saw this design used for 40 years until the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich became the first Games with a different design for the reverse side of the medal.