By the numbers: The medals of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

VANCOUVER , Oct. 15 /CNW/ -

    
    -20:   Temperature in degrees Celsius used to test the medals ability to
           maintain their integrity and durability in cold weather.

    2:     The number of designers who created the distinctive look of the
           2010 medals.

    2.05:  Kilograms of gold Teck provided for the gold medals.

    6:     All gold medals for the 2010 Winter Games are plated with six
           grams of gold.

    6.8:   Metric tonnes of circuit board from end-of-life electronics
           diverted from landfills for the making of the medals.

    9:     The number of times each medal is struck (in three sets of triple
           strikes) to achieve its unique undulating design. Also, the number
           of Teck's mining and smelting operations that provided the metals.

    30:    Number of steps it takes the Royal Canadian Mint to manufacture
           the medals.

    34:    Mint engineers, engravers, die technicians, machinists, and
           production experts who combined forces to create the medals.

    48:    The number of medal design ideas submitted by artists across
           Canada and internationally after VANOC issued its request for
           medal proposals in December 2007.

    90:    The number of kilograms the medal ribbons can withstand (equal to
           200 pounds).

    95:    The width of the Paralympic medals in millimetres.

    100:   The diameter of the Olympic medals in millimetres.

    399:   Number of Paralympic medals produced for the 2010 Winter Games.

    615:   Number of Olympic medals produced for the 2010 Winter Games.

    903:   Weight of copper in kilograms Teck provided for the 2010 bronze
           medals.

    1,014: Number of different crops of the two master Aboriginal artworks
           laser etched on the medals. All are unique and one-of-a-kind.

    1,950: Kilograms of silver Teck provided for the 2010 medals.

    2,817: Number of hours of precision manufacturing needed to produce the
           medals at the Mint.

    Quick facts: The medals of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games
    ----------------------------------------------------------

    Inspiration: The dramatic form of the Vancouver 2010 medals is inspired
    by the ocean waves, drifting snow and mountainous landscape found in the
    Games region and throughout Canada.

    Design: The medals are based on two large master artworks of an orca
    whale (Olympic) and raven (Paralympic). Each of the medals has a unique
    hand-cropped section of the abstract art, making every medal one-of-a-
    kind.

    Size: 100 millimetres in diameter and about six mm thick for Olympic
    medals; 95 mm in width and average of six mm thick for Paralympic medals.

    Weight: Between 500 grams and 576 g depending on the medal.

    Designers/manufacturer: Corrine Hunt and Omer Arbel (Canadian designers),
    VANOC, and Vancouver 2010 Official Supporters - the Royal Canadian Mint
    (manufacturer) and Teck Resources (metals).

    Medal Container: In a break with recent tradition and based on feedback
    from athletes, a special carrying case is in the final stages of
    development so that Olympic and Paralympic medals will be protected in a
    stylish, practical and easily transportable way. Vancouver 2010
    medallists will receive a case made of heathered wool felt with tonal
    embroidery and an antiqued metal emblem for their medals. Many athletes
    said that while they treasure the decorative boxes they usually receive,
    they needed something equally suited for everyday transport to visit
    schoolchildren or dignitaries - some athletes even said they carried
    their gold, silver or bronze medals in old socks or the soft velvet bags
    that protect whisky bottles!
    

For further information: Media Contacts: Jennifer Young, VANOC Communications, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Christine Aquino, Royal Canadian Mint, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Catherine Hart, Teck Resources, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]