Historical Evolution of sports Historical Evolucion of sports researchpdf | Page 33

● Medals In the ancient Olympics, the first-place winner was given an olive branch to wear on his head. The second and third place winners did not receive anything. At the first Games in 1896, silver medals were awarded to the winners and bronze to the second place getters. In 1900, most winners received cups or trophies instead of medals. At the 1904 Games in St. Louis, gold replaced silver as the medal awarded for first place. Since 1928, the front side of every Olympic Games medal was essentially the same: an image of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, the Olympic Rings, the coliseum of ancient Athens, a Greek vase known as an amphora, a horse-drawn chariot, and the year, number of the Olympiad, and host city. Each host city was allowed to add special details to this design. HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF SPORTS 33