Stunning Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade medals unveiled

Hi-tech aerospace alloy with a heart of crystal  

KRASNOYARSK — If a crystal can symbolize ice, then the medals at the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade will certainly represent #RealWinter.

With just over 100 days left to go for the biennial winter sports spectacle that will be held in the heart of Siberia next March, the gold, silver and bronze medals that will be awarded to the student-athletes were unveiled in Krasnoyarsk.

The stunning design – that was chosen through an open competition – has a combination of metal and Swarovski crystals, with each medal having a crystal set in the centre.

“We want the Winter Universiade 2019 winners to take home a piece of the Siberian heart, kindness and friendliness,” said Maxim Urazov, Director General of ANO Directorate Krasnoyarsk 2019, about the design.

It was the Russian aluminium company RUSAL that won the design contest and keeping the Siberian climate in mind, their designers chose to use innovative aluminium alloys that are used in aerospace. These hi-tech metal medals will then be plated with pure gold, silver and bronze.

In total, over 1,400 awarding and gift medals will be manufactured, as well as over 1,400 awarding badges.

Double Olympic gold medallist, gymnast Svetlana Khorkina was present at the unveiling and she emphasised the emotional importance of medals.

“The Universiade is an important challenge and invaluable experience for young sports stars,” she said. “And the first international medal is a memory that lasts forever. I would have liked to have such a beautiful medal myself, and I am very proud that it is made in Russia. For each athlete, the medal remains a symbol of their achievements and victories forever.”

During the Winter Universiade, athletes will compete for 76 awarding sets in 11 sports: biathlon, alpine skiing, curling, cross-country skiing, snowboard, ski orienteering, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, bandy and short track speed skating.