The Paralympic Games medals are one of the most important design applications, since the medals is given to the athletes, the real protagonists and heroes of the Paralympic Games as a reward for their achievements.

The medals for the Athens Paralympic Games were presented on 17 September 2003. ATHENS 2004 aim was to modify both sides of the medal so that it includes Greek elements. The aim was to propose a design for the medal of the 2004 Paralympic Games that would reflect the visual identity of the Paralympic Games and would remind athletes of Greece, the country that hosted them.

On one side the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic emblem expresses the strength and determination of all Paralympic athletes and appears together with the words ¡°ATHENS 2004¡± in Braille.

The challenge for the other side was to select a landmark of Athens that would be characteristic and universally recognised.

The Acropolis, with the temple of Parthenon, is the most recognisable landmark, a symbol of the city, which is acknowledged as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of modern civilisation. ¦³he Acropolis represents in the best possible way the unique historical and cultural environment where the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games will be hosted.

This medal will be an inspiration for all athletes to go to the limit, to outdo themselves and achieve the highest distinction in Athens in 2004.

The design of the medal was created by Constantinos Kazakos.

(www.athens2004.com)