Olympic gold medals are mostly silver, with only a thin layer of gold outside.

The longer version

Solid gold medals were last awarded in the early twentieth century; since then the standard piece is a silver alloy plated with only a few grams of fine gold. The reason is cost and weight, since a full disc of gold would be heavy around the neck and enormously expensive across an entire programme of events.

Rules set a minimum purity for the silver and a minimum amount of plating rather than exact figures, so hosts have some freedom, and a few editions have used gilded bronze instead. Medals are also individually made, which is why relief and thickness vary between games. Tarnish and flaking on old medals are common and follow directly from how thin the layer is.

Where this entry sits

Facts here look at the rules, equipment and odd histories behind familiar sports and games, from balls and rackets to cards, boards and playing fields. Expect small details about scoring quirks, stadium design and the long story of the Olympic Games. The full list sits on the Sports and Games page, where every entry is listed in order.