The closer it gets, the more excited we become, and this week, we were blown away by the release of the 2016 Rio Paralympics medal designs.
So much thought and effort has gone into creating these 2,642 Paralympic medals: 877 gold, 876 silver and 889 bronze, and we think that they really do reflect what Rio 2016 is all about.
They are incredibly environmentally friendly, being made with “sustainability at their heart”, say organisers.
The gold medals are free from mercury, the silver and bronze medals are made from 30% recycled materials, and half of the plastic in their ribbons is from recycled plastic bottles.
The ecological theme of the Games doesn’t end there as the podiums on which the athletes will receive the medals are made from organic materials and have been designed to be reused as furniture after the Games.
The symbol of victory in ancient Greece, laurel leaves, has been incorporated into the design, surrounding the Rio 2016 logo. Organisers say they celebrate “the relationship between the strengths of Olympic heroes and the forces of nature”
Each medal has a device inside that uses tiny steel balls to make a sound when they are shaken, allowing visually impaired athletes to identify the colour by increasing in volume from bronze to gold.
The bronze medals have 16 steel balls, creating the quietest sound, the silver medals have 20 balls and the golds have 28, producing the loudest noise.
All of the medals also have the words ‘Rio 2016 Paralympic Games’ written on them in Braille.
We can’t wait to see Team GB bring home these stunning and creative medals later this year!
Claire Colley, WDSA UK