With less than four weeks to go until the first champion is crowned, organisers have today revealed the medals specially commissioned for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 following a design competition.
Taking place from 1-3 March this year, the World Athletics Indoor Championships will feature more than 700 athletes as they compete across 26 events, aiming to come out victorious and secure a coveted medal, with up to 108 medals being awarded (allowing for up to six in a relay team).
The pinnacle of every athlete’s career is to stand on the podium at a major championship and be presented with a unique medal, one that recognises and reflects the magnitude of their achievement at the highest level.
Although this is the 19th edition of the championships, this is the first time the event has been held in Scotland. This is reflected in the design of the medal, which incorporates the thistle inspired event brand, complemented by a selection of well-known Glasgow landmarks around its outer rim, giving athletes a little piece of Glasgow to remember their triumph, long after they leave the city.
Event organisers launched an open call last summer, giving Scottish artists the chance to submit their designs in a bid to become a part of history. Winning artist, Graeme Clark, from Edinburgh is proud to see his illustrations transformed into a stunning creation that will be presented to all the medallists.
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Speaking about his design and inspiration, Clark said: “As a man from Edinburgh, I’ve always enjoyed trips through to Glasgow for various exhibitions, gigs, and shopping. It’s a city full of culture and serves as a great creative inspiration for designers like me.
“It’s also a place full of inspiring talent and iconic architecture. I’ve worked with many Glaswegian brands over the years and the city always seems to birth amazing things. The city has a lot of iconic monuments and structures that served as the inspiration for the design.”
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life who co-ordinated the design competition, said: “When we issued a callout to the Scottish craft and design community, we knew the standard of submissions would be high, but we were hugely impressed with the quality of the response.
“While we had a tough decision to make, Graeme’s design stood out as the clear winner, and we are delighted to be able to create a medal that incorporates so much of Glasgow’s iconic skyline and has a distinctly Scottish feel.
“Glasgow is proud to be hosting one of the biggest sports events in Scotland this year, and I can’t wait to see the medals presented at the Championships next month. I am sure the winning athletes will all treasure the small part of Glasgow they take home with them.”