As the competitors fight for honor and glory, the value of the metal around their necks can be more than the price of an average meal, which causes quite a bit of dissatisfaction at these Olympic Games, writes Bild.
The bronze medals are especially the target of criticism. They consist of approximately 420 grams of copper, and their net material value is only 4.18 euros. In other words, a bronze medal is cheaper than a kebab. The reason is simple: bronze is not a precious metal, but an alloy consisting of at least 60 percent copper, with additions of other metals such as tin, aluminum or lead. There are no expensive precious metals in it.
The value of other awards is significantly higher. The silver medal consists of about 500 grams of pure silver and has a material value of 1136.21 euros. The gold medal in its core is also made of silver and is only coated with gold. Its metal value is 1818.55 euros.
Interestingly, precious metal prices have more than doubled compared to the 2024 Olympics. In the summer of 2024, the material value of the gold medal was around 730 euros. The strong rise in the prices of gold and silver was also felt at the Olympic Games. The medals were produced by the Italian state mint, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, and according to official data, recycled metals from own production waste were used for their production.
The last Olympic gold medal made of pure gold was awarded back in 1912 at the London Games. At that time, it weighed 26 grams and was worth about 20 US dollars. According to today’s gold prices, its material value would amount to more than 4,000 euros. Since then, Olympic gold is no longer solid gold – the name has remained, but not the precious metal.
In the end, despite the huge material differences, for sportsmen and women it is not the price of the metal that counts, but the priceless moment on the podium.
(Vijesti.ba)
