Excitement is building up to a frenzied pitch, as the Olympic Games approach. Tickets are like paper Gold right now and the lucky few who managed to get some are holding on for dear life. I was really disappointed on not getting any tickets, even though I bid for more than fifteen events. So if you like me, lost out on attending the games, at least go and see the medals on display at the British Museum.
This fascinating display tells the story of the production of the medals for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, from the mining of the metal by Rio Tinto to the creation of the designs by David Watkins and Lin Cheung and production by the Royal Mint.
There is also a bit of history provided by 19th and 20th century objects highlighting the longstanding links between Britain and the Olympic. This includes a range of objects from the 19th-century Shropshire games alongside medals from the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games held in London and the 1960 and 1984 Paralympic Games.
I really liked the gold medal designed by David Watkins as the core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City with the River Thames in the background as a symbol for London. The radiating grid suggests both a pulling together and a sense of outreach – powerful energy that represents the athletes' efforts
