Glasgow 2026 has unveiled a pioneering set of prize medals for the upcoming summer Commonwealth Games, marking the first time in the event's history that medals incorporate braille and tactile features. The unveiling took place at a special ceremony held at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) on Wednesday, attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, who serves as vice-patron of Commonwealth Sport.
Design and Inspiration
The medal was designed in secret by award-winning artist Militsa Milenkova, originally from Bulgaria. Its unique shape draws inspiration from Glasgow's coat of arms and iconic city landmarks, such as the Finnieston Crane. Milenkova expressed her desire to create a medal that athletes would resonate with, stating: "When I was thinking about the design, I wanted to try and fit Glasgow into one shape, and to do that I was naturally drawn to the symbol of the city – the coat of arms. That's where I took the distinctive shape from."
Commitment to Inclusion
George Black, chairman of Glasgow 2026, emphasized the significance of the medals: "The prize medal is the ultimate symbol of what our athletes are competing for this summer and we wanted it to be truly worthy of that moment. Militsa has created something extraordinary, rooted in Glasgow's story, bold in its design and meaningful in its commitment to inclusion." He added: "Inclusion is at the heart of Glasgow 2026, with the largest para sport programme in the Games history, fully integrated in the competition. For the first time, every athlete standing on that podium will hold a medal that speaks to who they are and what these Games stand for."
Games Overview
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to be the largest sporting competition in the UK this summer, will take place from July 23 to August 2. A total of 215 gold medals will be awarded across 10 sports and six para sports. Notably, 47 gold medals will be contested in para sports, making it the most extensive para sport programme in the history of the Games.
