What’s In The Box You Get With An Olympic Medal?
Medal winners at the Olympics are presented with a rectangular box on the podium – but what’s inside?
Any doubts golf would struggle to make its mark at the Olympics in just its third edition since a hiatus of over 100 years were put firmly to one side after the men’s tournament at Le Golf National.
There, US player Scottie Scheffler emerged the winner after a thrilling final round that saw him edge out Team GB’s Tommy Fleetwood by one shot and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama by two.
It was clear how much the achievement meant to the World No.1, who became emotional on the podium as the enormity of his achievement sunk in. However, aside from writing his name into the history books and receiving a gold medal, Scheffler also received a mysterious gold rectangular box for his win. But what did it contain?
In fact, it’s far from just Scheffler who received the box. Every Olympic medal winner, including Fleetwood for his silver and Matsuyama for his bronze, is given the item, and three more will be handed out after the women’s golf tournament.
According to the official Olympics website, the box, which is around 40cm (15.7in) long, contains the official poster, designed by illustrator Ugo Gattoni. It’s one of two posters he designed for the Games - one for the Olympics and another for the upcoming Paralympics. Both were also created manually, with no assistance from AI, and they took him four months to create, amounting to almost 2,000 hours of work.
A post shared by Paris2024 (@paris2024)
A photo posted by on
It doesn't end there for the medal winners, either. After the ceremonies, they receive another gift - a gold, silver or bronze medal-winning mascot with the relevant medal emblem sewn into its belly, completing quite the haul for their remarkable achievements.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
'A Dream Come True' - Elvis Smylie Outlasts 'Idol' And Mentor Cameron Smith To Land Australian PGA Championship Title
The young left-hander secured his maiden DP World Tour title by two strokes over the former Open Champion, who he had previously been mentored by
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Quiz! Can You Name Every Player In The 2023 Ryder Cup?
There were 24 golfers involved. How many members of the two teams can you name?
By Roderick Easdale Published
-
From Planning To Walk Away At 30 To Being On The Back Nine Of Her Career Aged 26 - Here's What Lydia Ko Thinks About Retirement Now After Winning Olympic Gold
The New Zealander had previously stated she would retire at 30 before confirming she was "on the back nine" of her career earlier in 2024
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Did Lydia Ko Qualify For The LPGA Hall Of Fame?
The New Zealander gained entry to the LPGA Hall of Fame with her gold medal at the women's Olympics golf tournament, but how did she get there?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Mariajo Uribe Ends Professional Career With Eagle On Final Hole At Olympics
The Colombian made an eagle on the par-5 18th at Le Golf National as she brought an end to her professional career in style
By Mike Hall Published
-
Olympics Women's Golf Tee Times - Round Four
Groups and starting times for Saturday's fourth and final round of the women's Olympic golf tournament
By Mike Hall Published
-
Olympics Women's Golf Tee Times - Round Three
Groups and starting times for Friday's third round of the women's Olympic golf tournament
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Filipino Olympic Golfer Bianca Pagdanganan Would Win Not One But Two New Homes (And Other Amazing Prizes) If She Claims Gold At Paris 2024
If the LPGA Tour player takes the top prize in the women's Olympics golf tournament, she's seems set to be showered with gifts
By Mike Hall Published
-
A Solheim Cup At Le Golf National? Nelly Korda Likes The Idea
The US star thinks a Solheim Cup at Le Golf National would be a good idea after being impressed by the atmosphere at the Olympics women's golf tournament
By Mike Hall Published
-
Charley Hull Reveals Shower Incident Partially To Blame For Disappointing First Round At Paris 2024
The World No.11 has only just returned from injury after an accident in her hotel room caused Hull to miss playing time
By Jonny Leighfield Published