Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has unveiled the official medals that will be awarded to athletes at Birmingham 2022, which begins in July. These stunning jewel-like medals have been designed at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery by a team of three students.
Led by Amber Alys, with Francesca Wilcox and Catarina Rodrigues Caeiro, this innovative all-female group is also part of the winning team that designed the ribbon and the box for the medal too. The students entered a competition organised by the School of Jewellery and Birmingham 2022 individually, and subsequently formed a team.
The medals have been manufactured by the company Toye, Kenning & Spencer in Birmingham’s world-renowned Jewellery Quarter. This is an area which is included on the Birmingham 2022 marathon route and nearby to Arena Birmingham, one of the key venues for the Games.
The design of the medal and ribbon has been carefully thought-through, keeping in mind the 19 different sports and eight Para sports that will take place. A textured and tactile quality has been added so that all athletes, especially those with a visual impairment, can feel the design. The ribbon features an adjustable element for added comfort, that allows the athlete to wear it at a bespoke length of their choosing.
Amber Alys, spoke on behalf of the design team and said: “It has been incredible to see our designs come to life, and we’re delighted with the medals, ribbons and presentation boxes. We really thought about all of the athletes when designing the medals – the connection between athletes and the journey they go on to achieve their dream of standing on top of the podium. We wanted to create something with a jewel-like quality so that the athletes had something they could treasure for the rest of their lives. We really hope they like them.”
© Birmingham 2022
Seven-time Paralympic gold medallist, Hannah Cockroft commented: “Since I have been an international athlete, my events have not been included in the Commonwealth Games, so I have never been able to compete for Team England before. From the minute I found out that the 100m for T33/34 athletes was included on the athletics programme, I have been thrilled that I finally have a chance to add a Commonwealth Games medal to my collection. Now that I have seen how beautiful all the medals are, I’m even more focused on winning one this summer.”
”Now that I've seen how beautiful the medals are, I’m even more focused on winning one this summer.
Hannah CockroftParalympic Gold Medalist
Chief Executive, Charles Toye, said: “Helping Amber, Catarina and Francesca bring their designs to life has been such a rewarding experience for us. They are very different to other medals as they are not a traditional shape so that was challenging for us, but I think together we have created something which is truly special.”
Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Nigel Huddleston, commented: “This is the prize that athletes from across the Commonwealth are training so hard to win. Manufactured in Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter, the medals demonstrate the design talent we are blessed with here in the UK and will be a lasting symbol of what I know will be an incredible eleven days of sport.”
Martin Green, Chief Creative Officer, Ceremonies, Culture & Queen’s Baton Relay for Birmingham 2022, and chair of the medal design judging panel remarked: “The medals, ribbons and boxes are absolutely stunning. We would like to congratulate Amber, Catarina and Francesca for creating such a fantastic collection of items. We would also like to thank all of the students from the School of Jewellery who took part in this competition. Their enthusiasm and passion were wonderful to see, and the quality of designs made it extremely difficult for our panel of judges to choose a winner.”
Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council, said: “These medals are a statement and showcase the skills, creativity and heritage of our proud host city. They will be a bold and enduring symbol of our Games for those who earn the right to wear them. I congratulate everyone who has played a part in their production – and I cannot wait to see them being presented at the medal ceremonies this summer.”
© Birmingham 2022
A total of 1875 medals will now be produced, which will be awarded to the athletes placing first, second and third in the 283 medal events that are part of the Games; which includes more medal events for women than men for the first time ever. Medal winners will also be given a box in which to keep the medal, and this also features the aerial map design, providing a clear connection to the design of the medal.
The medals will be presented at victory ceremonies at all 15 of the Birmingham 2022 official competition venues, so ticket holders will see medal ceremonies as part of some of the hundreds of sessions of sports on offer at the Games.
