London 2012 Olympics: medal designs unveiled

The highly anticipated medals were presented by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal and London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, with International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and Coordination Commission chairman Denis Oswald also attending.

They will recognise the “incredible achievement” of outstanding athletes at the London Olympics, with more than 2,100 copies set to be made for 302 victory ceremonies that will stretch over 16 historic days of competition next year.

The medals, designed by British artist David Watkins, depict Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, stepping out of the Parthenon to arrive in the host city. The front side also shows a bowl resembling an amphitheatre, with the medal's overall circular shape a symbol of the world.

The back side contains a portrayal of the River Thames to reflect London, and a square to break up the medal's circular design and “emphasise its focus on the centre”.

Beneath the London 2012 logo is also a grid to add "a sense of outreach on the design – an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes’ achievement and effort”.