Have you ever wondered if the shiny gold medals given to Olympic champions are made entirely of gold? Well, let’s dive into the history and find out!
In the early days of the Olympics, the first-place medals were indeed made of solid gold. This means that the entire medal was crafted from pure gold. The last time this happened was during the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. Imagine how heavy and valuable those medals must have been!
Today, things are a bit different. Modern Olympic gold medals are not made entirely of gold. Instead, they are mostly made of silver. To give them that golden shine, they are coated with a thin layer of gold. This layer is only about 6 grams of gold, which is much less than a solid gold medal.
You might be wondering why they stopped using solid gold. The main reason is cost. Gold is very expensive, and using it for every first-place medal would be incredibly costly. By using silver and just a small amount of gold, the Olympics can still award beautiful medals without spending too much money.
Did you know that each Olympic Games has its own unique medal design? The host country gets to decide how the medals will look, which makes each set of medals special. Also, the medals are quite large, often about the size of a small plate!
So, while today’s Olympic gold medals aren’t made entirely of gold, they are still a symbol of incredible achievement and hard work. Next time you watch the Olympics, you’ll know the fascinating story behind those gleaming medals!
Research the history of Olympic medals and create a short presentation. Include information about the materials used in different eras and why changes were made. Present your findings to the class and discuss how the value of medals has evolved over time.
Imagine you are in charge of designing the medals for the next Olympic Games. Draw your own design and explain the materials you would use and why. Share your design with the class and explain the significance of your choices.
Calculate the weight difference between a solid gold medal from 1912 and a modern gold medal. Use the information about the materials and their densities to find out how much heavier the 1912 medal would be. Share your calculations with the class.
Participate in a class debate on whether Olympic medals should return to being made of solid gold or remain as they are today. Prepare arguments for both sides and discuss the pros and cons of each option.
Write a short story from the perspective of an Olympic medal. Describe its journey from being crafted to being awarded to an athlete. Include details about its materials and the emotions it experiences during the Olympics.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
[Music]
I wonder, the first-place Olympic medals were originally made of solid gold. The 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, was the last time gold was used in the first-place medals. Since then, instead of having medals made from solid gold, the first-place medals are now covered in only 6 grams of gold. The majority of the medal is actually made from silver.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – In history class, we learned about the ancient Egyptians and their pyramids.
Olympics – A major international sports event where athletes from around the world compete in various sports. – The Olympics are held every four years and include sports like swimming and gymnastics.
Medals – Awarded to athletes who place first, second, or third in their events at competitions like the Olympics. – The athlete was thrilled to win three medals at the track and field events.
Gold – A precious metal often used to make the first-place medals in competitions. – Winning a gold medal at the Olympics is a dream for many athletes.
Silver – A valuable metal used to make second-place medals in competitions. – She was proud to receive a silver medal in the swimming competition.
Design – The process of creating a plan or drawing to show the look and function of an object before it is made. – The design of the new museum was inspired by ancient Greek architecture.
Achievement – A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill. – Climbing to the top of the mountain was a great achievement for the young explorer.
Cost – The amount of money required to buy or do something. – The cost of building the new art gallery was covered by donations from the community.
Unique – Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. – The artist’s unique style made her paintings stand out in the gallery.
Champions – People who have won a competition, especially in sports. – The soccer team celebrated as champions after winning the final match.
