Special report:   2008 Olympic Games 

Medals of the 2008 Paralymic Games are unveiled by the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 14, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    By Sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng

    BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- In accordance with the Olympic medal style of gold and jade, the Paralympic medals unveiled here Wednesday signifying "two Olympics, same highlights".

    The design for Paralympic medals features the Beijing Paralympic emblem in the center. Jade is inserted in the face and the rear covers the emblem of International Paralympic Committee, sports disciplines, and the English, Chinese and braille versions of "Beijing 2008 Paralympics".

    The inspiration of jade inlay comes from the fracture of ancient Chinese jade article. The gold, silver and bronze medals will carry the same design, with a finer white jade in the gold medal, a slightly darker shade in silver medal, and a green jade in the bronze medal.

    According to Zhao Dongming, director of culture department in the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG), the International Paralympic Commitee sets down strict prescriptions on medal's material, distinction, weight, size and design.

    "For top two finishers in Paralympics, the medal is made of pure silver, but the medal for champion needs to gild at least six pure gold," said Zhao at the design releasing ceremony.

    "The design of inserting jade not only complies with relevant specifications of International Paralympic Committee, but also echoes that of Olympic medals," commented Zhao, adding the design indicates equality and mutual respect between the able and disabled physically.

    The design for Olympic gold medal comprises the Beijing Olympic logo, the Olympic rings and "Beijing 2008" in a center circle. It is surrounded by a ring of jade with a gold-plated rim on the outside.

    The winning design for Olympic medals was released on March 27 this year.

    "The Olympic medals and Paralympic medals are all valuable and honorable, which best represents the aspiration of 'one world, one dream'," said Zhao.

    The layout work for Paralympic medal design started on November2006 carried on by three units -- Central Art Academy, Art College of Tsinghua University and China Banknote Printing and Minting Company. The design was selected from 21 submitted by the three units.

    After amendments by experts, the design won the approval of BOCOG and International Paralympic Committee on September 20 and October 11 respectively.