Olympic gold medals are not made of solid gold but are primarily composed of silver with a thin layer of gold plating. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), gold medals must contain at least 92.5% silver and be coated with a minimum of 6 grams of pure gold. This ensures their golden appearance while keeping costs manageable.
Historically, solid gold medals were awarded during the early Olympic Games, but this practice ended after the 1912 Olympics due to the high cost and scarcity of gold. Since then, gold medals have been crafted using silver as the base metal, with a thin layer of gold plating to maintain their traditional look.
Silver and bronze medals also follow specific compositions. Silver medals are made entirely of 92.5% pure silver, while bronze medals are composed mainly of copper (about 95%) with some tin and zinc.
Despite not being solid gold, an Olympic gold medal holds immense value beyond its material worth. It represents the pinnacle of athletic achievement, years of dedication, and the honor of competing at the highest level. For athletes, the prestige and history behind the medal make it priceless, regardless of its actual gold content.
