Nike, the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, has been
the face of Olympic medals since the 2004 Athens Games, with the Parthenon
temple in the background.
“However, each country can make its own adaptations,” said
Carneiro, who works with some 2,800 other people at the mint.
“It’s a special medal made for the world’s biggest event.
When the athlete receives that medal, I’ll feel as if I’ve also been
decorated,” Carneiro said.
If Rio residents think the curvy ancient Greek goddess
stamped on the Olympic medals looks familiar, they wouldn’t be wrong: she’s
modelled on Brazilian women.
“Rio de Janeiro is a city full of curves in the sea and
hills, just like the body of the Brazilian woman,” said sculptor Nelson
Carneiro, 60, who created the 5,130 bronze, silver and gold medals at the
national mint, called Casa da Moeda, near Rio de Janeiro.
Carneiro says the sensuous side of the city inspired his
depiction on the medals of the Greek goddess Nike ahead of the Summer Games
starting August 5. “I gave Nike curves. I gave her bigger thighs and hips,” he
said.
The medals may celebrate ancient tradition, but the
technology mixes artisanal and 21st century techniques.
First, Carneiro sculpts the design in clay and this is
copied by a 3D printer. A steel mould is used to stamp the medals in a
hydraulic press and medals are then polished to remove imperfections.
-HT
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