Lausanne 2020 Medal Design Chosen

The winning entry of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s Medal Design Competition for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 has been chosen. It was submitted by 20-years old Zakea Page from New Zealand and is entitled “Beauty in Diversity”.

Chosen from among close to 300 entries from 60 nations, the winning design was picked by a panel of judges made up of Young Change-Makers, Young Reporters, IOC Member Danka Bartekova, Lausanne 2020 President Virginie Faivre and ERACOM (Lausanne art school) Dean Viviane Morey.

The Medal Design Competition winner said of his design: “It is inspired by Maya Angelou’s quote, “In diversity there is beauty”. This is fitting because the Youth Olympic Games are not only a celebration of human excellence, but also of culture and humanity. The spiral represents a culture of respect, friendship and excellence as young athletes gather at the Youth Olympic Games to celebrate their success. The spiral also celebrates the journey of hard work and dedication made by each individual athlete. These journeys are specific to each athlete, but they all lead to the Youth Olympic Games, where the athletes will compete and showcase their abilities.”

Lausanne 2020 President Virginie Faivre commented: "It was very tough to choose; there were so many beautiful designs among the entries! In the end, I am very happy with the winning design, which looks stunning! I look forward to seeing it around the athletes’ necks at Lausanne 2020.”

Competition judge and Young Change-Maker Carolina Joly said: “Zakea’s design was my favourite. It is beautiful and encapsulates the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games. It’s fresh and innovative and I am very glad it will be the official design of the Lausanne 2020 medals.”

Winner Zakea will attend the Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020, including the Opening Ceremony, and witness first hand athletes being awarded medals featuring his design. In addition, he will receive his own set of medals and a Samsung tablet.

The judges also selected two runner-up designs. In second place was 28-years-old Johan Poizat from France, with his design “The Star of the Alps is You”. In third position was 30-years-old Mishael Jacob Pueblas from the Philippines, with a design called “Wings of a Champion”.