The tradition of awarding gold medals awarded to top scorers at the Olympics and Paralympics started with the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games. According to IOC, the gold medals are required to contain at least 92.5% silver and a minimum of 6 grams of pure gold. Olympic medals are 60mm in diameter and 3mm thick.

The gold medal features the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher and Stronger). The practice of winning athletes biting their medals, when awarded, is based on an ancient practice of biting into gold to test its authenticity. It is generally done at the photographer’s request.