Gold, silver and bronze; lacquer, cloisonne, and engraving.
The first three are the internationally recognized metals of the Olympic medals, and the latter three are the processes used to make the 1998 Nagano Olympics medals unique.Unlike the Summer Olympics, which distributed medals with a common design for nearly seven decades, the Winter Olympics boasts medals that are original in design and composition and distinctive to the host organizing committee.
The medals for the 1992 Albertville Olympics combined crystal with gold, silver and bronze. And the medals distributed at the 1994 Lillehammer Games combined the trio of metals with stone excavated from the construction of the ski jump.
And in four years, Utah's Winter Games will feature its own set of specially made and designed medals.
The Nagano Organizing Committee (NAOC) describes the 1998 medal design as "an expression of Nagano and Japan," with the engraven Nagano Olympics emblem placed prominently in the center of each medal.
While the Olympic Charter prescribes pre-determined weights, kinds and sizes for the medals, traditional Nagano materials and techniques - lacquer, cloisonne and engraving - were used to create them.
Besides being the name of the Asian island nation, Japan is also the name used to describe the Orient-originating lacquerware style and process of a black enamel or varnish used to produce a durable, glossy finish.
And Nagano's kiso region is one of the country's most renowned lacquerware producers - hence, the Nagano Olympic medals will use Kiso lacquer.
Also, the maki style is representive of ornamental lacquer techniques in which layers of colored dust or precious metal power are applied to the lacquer.
And cloisonne is enamelware in which the surface decoration is formed by different colors of enamel separated by thin strips of metal set on edge.
Victory ceremonies
You won't see Olympic medals awarded to event winners immediately following skiing and other outdoor competitions. Instead, ceremonies will be conducted on the evening of the final day of competitions at Nagano's Central Square.
Called "victory ceremonies" the medal awards will be accompanied by cultural events, providing another Olympic event for those who were unable to witness athletic competition.
Flower ceremonies will be held after the competitions at outdoor sites.
For skating and other indoor sports, the victory ceremony is conducted at the same venue after the competition has concluded.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Medal standards
The Olympic charter requires the following for the gold, silver and bronze medals to be awarded to the top finishers in athletic events:
- Medals must be at least 60 millimeters in diameter and at least three millimeters thick.
- Gold and silver medals must be made of 92.5 percent pure silver.
- The gold medal must be gilded with at least six grams of gold.
- The design of the medals is the responsibility of the host city's organizing committee.
- Medals for the Winter Games must be an original design different from those awarded at the Summer Games, which had been engraved with a traditional design since the 1928 Amsterdam Games.