2010 Olympics: The Medals at the Mint

The Canadian Mint put up an exhibit in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics to showcase the Olympic and Paralympic Medals that are to be won by the various athletes. It is the only time the Olympic Medals have ever been on public display, let alone allow the public to handle them.

When Robyn and I arrived at where the Canadian Mint was set up there was already a decent sized line. We arrived 1 hour before they opened their doors hoping that would be early enough to get inside before the appointment Robyn had to get to at 10AM.

Yes the lineup eventually double-backed on itself. A second lineup started but I was later informed that much shorter line was for the guided tour around the lower section of the exhibit and not for the Olympic Medal room.

Time was ticking away and we weren’t moving really fast, I decided to go up to the door and ask for the PR/Media Manager, after all, I do have press credentials.

A friendly and informative lady by the name of Crystal came and I briefly introduced who I was, for whom I worked for and what I was looking to do. She took us up to the Medal room and started explaining the whole process in detail to us. It’s truly amazing the time, design and effort that went into these Medals. Each Paralympic and Olympic medal is unique, no two medals are the same.

I felt a bit rushed taking photos as they had a group people leave and another group of people come in. At any time there seemed to be 10-12 people in each group.

The above two photos are of the artwork that goes on to the Medals themselves. There were also two binders with each medal that has been created document, sort of like a birth certificate, or certificate of authenticity.

Robyn was ecstatic to see the medals and even hold them. It was her highlight of the Olympics, to hold the very item sought out by the over 2500 athletes that participate in the Olympics. I on the other hand wasn’t as excited to hold them, but if you did get the chance to hold them, wow are they heavy! Each medal consists of roughly 94% Sterling Silver too. Yup, the Gold Medal isn’t solid gold, darn eh?

Various people came in, handled the medals (with little white gloves) and left. Crystal was saying that they were expecting around 4000 people per day but were getting closer to 8000 people per day visiting the Canadian Mint exhibit. She also mentioned that with the few final days of the Olympics, they were expecting much more people. I heard up to 7 hours people were waiting in line to have a chance to view and hold the medals.

Above are the Paralympic Gold and Silver Medals. Not sure why I missed the Bronze Medal but it wasn’t on purpose. Each medal also features Braille on it, which mentions what sport it is being awarded to.

Yes, they staff on hand even told us (as well as each group) that we could not bite the Medals.

Anyway, I’m not happy about the quality of photos I took, remember I am my biggest critic. I felt a bit awkward and rushed to take the photos. Though I guess I can be happy I got to go see them, experience them and at least take photos of them right?

As both Robyn and I were pressed for time we could not view the rest of the Canadian Mint exhibit which included some pretty unique items such as the million dollar coin.

**Updated: Looks like the Medals will be staying for the Paralympic event as well. Good to know!