Olive Branch To Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals

From its periwinkle-colored running track to winner medals with a touch of the Eiffel Tower included in the design of each, 33rd Olympic Games in Paris is quite a show.

The luxury jeweler, Chaumet, in business for 230 years made the medals for the Games. Mid-20th century repairs were made to the elevators at the Eiffel Tower and the metal was preserved. Each medal has the piece of the Tower set like a precious stone.

Gold and silver medals have a minimum of 92.5 per cent of pure silver. Gold medals are valued at $1,027, silver medal value is $535 and bronze medal is $4.60. There is a monetary value to each medal awarded by the United States Olympic committee with awards of gold, $37,500; silver $22,500, bronze $15,000.

Originally, Olympians received an olive branch or olive branch halos. A lot has changed since then. Some countries award their gold medal winners a great deal more, for instance, Morocco, Malaysia and Serbia award $200,000 each.

It pays to be Polish who bestow their winner not only with a monetary prize, but a high quality diamond, vacation voucher for two and a painting. If the winner gets gold, also receives a free two-bedroom apartment.

Can it get any better? Yes, hearing your national anthem as your flag is slowly raised.

See you in four years in Los Angeles.