On Tuesday, with 101 days until the opening of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, the medals for those games were unveiled.
One of the most coveted symbols of victory in sports, the medals do not disappoint. The design of the Olympic medals are often a reflection of the host country and its culture.
According to the Olympic committee, the Beijing 2022 medals are named "Tong Xin," which means "together as one." The design has the five Olympic rings in the center and is based on "Chinese ancient jade concentric circle pendants" according to the release.
The carved designs on the rings surrounding the center are all based on traditional Chinese patterns. The words "XXIV Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022" are also engraved on the front.
The jade-inlaid 2022 medals mirror those of the 2008 Summer Games. Beijing is the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games.
🎉With exactly 1️⃣0️⃣ 0️⃣days to go before the start of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the design of the medals that will be awarded at the Games has been unveiled! 🏅️🥈🥉#beijing2022 #medal #Olympics pic.twitter.com/c5Zi9gZETe
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) October 26, 2021
On the back, the emblem of the Beijing 2022 Games is in the center with the full Chinese name of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games engraved around it. The back also features ice, snow and cloud patterns.
The medals for the Paralympic Winter Games use the same design. The center of the front of the medals is engraved with the logo of the International Paralympic Committee and surrounded by the engraved words "Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games" in both English and Braille.
The 2022 Winter Olympics begin Feb. 4, 2022. The Paralympic Games begin March 4, 2022.