The big reveal: Medal design for World Indoors unveiled by top Scots

Monday 5th February 2024

Yvonne Murray-Mooney shows off one of the gold medals for the World Indoors in Glasgow (photo by Mark Gibson)

Scottish theme to World Indoors Exhibition in Glasgow

With less than four weeks to go until the first World Athletics Indoor Champion Glasgow 24 is crowned, organisers have today revealed the medal specially commissioned for the event following a design competition.

Taking place from 1-3 March this year, the World Indoors will be held at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow and will feature over 700 athletes as they compete across 26 events.

The pinnacle of every athlete’s career is to stand on the podium at a major championship and be presented with a unique medal, one that recognises and reflects the magnitude of their achievement at the highest level.

Although this is the 19^th edition of the Championships, this is the first time the event has been held in Scotland and this is reflected in the design of the medal, which incorporates the thistle inspired event brand, complemented by a selection of well-known Glasgow landmarks around its outer rim.

Event organisers launched an open call last summer, giving Scottish artists the chance to submit their designs in a bid to become a part of history.

Winning artist, Graeme Clark, from Edinburgh is proud to see his illustrations transformed into a stunning creation that will be presented to all the medallists.

The medals have been produced by specialist manufacturer Toye, Kenning and Spencer who have produced a range of high-quality championship medals including the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the company is based in the city’s Jewellery Quarter.

Photos by Mark Gibson

Amongst the first to set eyes on the medals were young athletes from the team that represented Glasgow at the European City Challenge last October, as well as Shettleston Harriers and Victoria Park Glasgow Athletics Club.

They were given a sneak peek, by event Ambassador, World and Olympic medallist and European champion, Eilidh Doyle, prior to attending the official opening of the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) exhibition that is being staged at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow from now until the end of the Championships.

Eilidh Doyle said: ‘As an athlete it is always exciting when the medals are revealed as you know the championships are getting close, so it creates a real buzz. And when you see them for real, it really makes you want one sand spurs you on that little bit more.

‘The medals are all quite different, and it is great to see a strong Scottish and Glasgow theme on this one, creating a sense of place, for the championships that will be remembered.’

Joining Eilidh as MOWA guests of honour, Scottish athletics legends, 1980 Olympic 100m champion Allan Wells, and 1993 World Athletics Indoor champions Yvonne Murray-Mooney (3000m) and Tom McKean (800m) were also on hand to see the medals and inspire the youngsters, as all four presented precious articles of competition kit to go on display in the exhibition.

The latest Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) heritage exhibition marks the staging of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 (1 to 3 March 2024) and celebrates over 170 years of indoor track and field athletics history.

Designed to encourage everyone to feel a part of the World Athletics Indoor Championships, whether they have a ticket to attend or not, the one-month long MOWA exhibition features World Athletics Heritage’s collection of indoor athletics competition artefacts dating from the 1880s.

The displays contain clothing, shoes, equipment, trophies, and medals donated by more than 30 world champions and/or record breakers.

Ian Beattie, Chair UK Athletics said: “Every athlete competing in Glasgow will dream of winning a medal, and it is fantastic to see that those who are successful will have such a stunning memory of their achievement.

“As the event gets nearer the excitement is increasing, and I know the Glasgow crowd will create an electric atmosphere within the arena that will support the world class Scottish and British athletes to perform at the highest level.”