They are the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes that are the focus of training and commitment for 4,500 athletes across the Commonwealth and to mark 100 Days to Go to the Opening Ceremony, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Medals were revealed to the public for the first time.
The medals were unveiled tonight (Monday 14 April) in spectacular style at Glasgow’s iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which provided a stunning backdrop to the reveal.
The unique awards are silver gilt (for the gold) silver and bronze – the traditional make-up of medals at Commonwealth and Olympic events, and weigh in at 100g each.
They have been designed by internationally renowned jeweller and maker Jonathan Boyd who worked with a team of eleven specialist jeweller-makers at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art (GSA) to hand make the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals through a series of complex and skilled processes meaning each one is truly unique.
They were revealed at a special event which also recreated the medal procession ceremony showing the ceremonial outfits to be worn by the male and female medal bearers, the trays the medals will be placed in and specially created gifts which will be given to the winning athletes.
The creative team behind the medal ceremonies also includes Paul Hodgkiss, designer of the wooden podiums, trays and gifts and fashion designer Kerry Nixon, who designed the dresses worn by the female medal bearers and styled the male medal bearers with the support of Harris Tweed who made the specially-commissioned fabric.
The design team has drawn inspiration from many elements of Scotland including the Isle of Harris itself to the parks of Glasgow. Incorporating the unique and iconic Harris Tweed fabric into the Medal Ceremony demonstrated the age-old tradition and artisan skills of the weavers in a modern and contemporary setting.
The event gave a glimpse of the moments of a lifetime for winning athletes which will be broadcast around the globe and highlighted the talents of three designers who have come together to create a beautiful and unique Glasgow 2014 Medal Ceremony which will be seen by a global audience of 1.5 billion.
GSA has been involved with developing both the medals and the dress fabrics with the school’s Centre for Advanced Textiles printing the distinctive Glasgow 2014 Official Tartan material onto the silk fabric.
Former Commonwealth Gold Medallist and TV presenter Iwan Thomas hosted the event which also featured Scotland’s most decorated athlete, Allan Wells, MBE and aspiring future athletics star Joseph Amouzou, 18, who attends The Glasgow School of Sport. Joseph is the reigning Under 20 Indoor Triple Jump champion and hopes to compete in future Commonwealth Games.
The event was also attended by Glasgow 2014 Games Partners and representatives of business and civic Scotland.
Chairman of Glasgow 2014, Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, who spoke at the ceremony said:
“These medals are the coveted prize that all the athletes coming to compete at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have in their sights – the ultimate reward for all those years of toil, training and dedication. Our medals are unlike any I have seen before and are a unique representation of the stunning, contemporary vision of Scotland that will be beamed around the world. With just 100 days to go until the Opening Ceremony, the stage is now well and truly set for an outstanding XX Commonwealth Games.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“To win a Commonwealth Games medal is one of the highlights of any athlete’s career, but to win a medal on home soil would be something else and mean so much more. Since Scotland was awarded the Games in 2007, athletes across the country have aspired to be a part of Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014 and I am sure we will see some truly awe inspiring performances, as they aim to realise their dreams in just over 100 days and make Scotland very proud.”
Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said:
""It is fantastic to see the medals for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games revealed. They look absolutely stunning and I'm sure that all the athletes, who have worked so hard to get here and compete, will be honoured to receive one of these medals. The Games are proving a great showcase for Scottish designers from these fantastic medals designed by Jonathan Boyd, to the wooden quaichs by Paul Hodgkiss and the dresses for the female medal bearers by Kerry Nixon.
"We are celebrating 100 days to go today before we are host to the largest sporting and cultural event ever seen in Scotland. The final pieces are all coming together as we get ready to deliver the best Games ever and to showcase Scotland on a global stage. "
Councilor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
“100 Days to Go is the last lap on our preparations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the biggest event in the city’s history. It is very fitting that we celebrate this landmark by unveiling these fantastic medals, which will reflect modern Glasgow when we host the Games this summer, and I would like to offer my congratulations to the designer, Jonathan Boyd.”
Jonathan Boyd said:
"It’s a real honour to have been invited to design the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games medals. As someone who is extremely proud to live in the city of Glasgow and an avid sports fan, I am thrilled to be given this opportunity. I hope I have designed something that stands proud as an interesting and unique object but, more importantly, something that celebrates each athlete's individual achievement.
“Each of the medals was handmade in Glasgow by a group of internationally recognised jewellers. This could only have been achieved at The Glasgow School of Art. It has been a wonderful commission both for me and my colleagues in the Silversmithing and Jewellery department.”
Kerry Nixon said:
"I’m delighted to be a part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It’s a huge honour for me to design and now showcase the Medal Bearer’s dress and represent my hometown of Glasgow at such an exciting time for the City.”
Paul Hodgkiss said:
"It is a real honour being asked to design and create the athletes gifts, medal trays and podiums.
I am so very proud that the winning athletes will experience an atmosphere we have helped to create in my home city and that they will take home with them not only good memories but, literally, a little piece of Glasgow.”