Medals unveiled ahead of 2018 Winter Olympics – Los Angeles Times

In a rite that traditionally signals the Olympics are drawing near, organizers of the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, have unveiled the medals they will present on the podium in February.

The design highlights the host country’s culture in two ways.

Hangeul, a Korean alphabet, has been engraved on each piece, with a series of consonants emphasizing the effort that athletes display. A local textile called Gapsa was used for the ribbons.

“The medals are a wonderful compilation of our culture, tradition and the Olympic values,” said Lee Hee-beom, president of the organizing committee. “We wanted the medal to be a symbol of Korea and all the wonderful memories that the athletes will take home from their time here.”