The medals of Gold, Silver and Bronze represent the hard work, training and commitment of 4,500 athletes across the Commonwealth. The medals were unveiled in spectacular style at Glasgow’s iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a stunning backdrop for the reveal.
A massive milestone in the Commonwealth Games calendar, the day was packed with updates, events and incredible activity across social media.
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 Games have in their sights – the ultimate reward for all those years of toil, training and dedication.
Designed by internationally renowned jeweller Jonathan Boyd, and crafted in conjunction with a team of 11 specialist jeweller-makers, the medals were hand crafted through a series of complex and skilled processes at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art.
“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.”
The special event also featured a re-enactment of 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.
Glasgow School of Art has been involved with developing both the medals and the dress fabrics within the school’s Centre for Advanced Textiles. The creative team behind the medal ceremonies also includes Paul Hodgkiss, designer of the wooden podiums, trays and gifts, and fashion designer Kerry Nixon creator of the dresses worn by the female medal bearers and the specially-commissioned Harris Tweed outfit of the male medal bearers.
“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.”
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. Joseph is the reigning Under 20 Indoor Triple Jump champion, and hopes to compete in future Commonwealth Games.