More than 600 athletes and guides, across 199 events, will be hoping to get their hands on one of the medals, designed by Welshman Chris Fox, the man behind the distinctive Championship logo at the forefront of the event.

"I am extremely proud to be involved in the creative delivery of the Swansea 2014 IPC Athletics European Championships," said Fox

"I lived in Swansea for seven years after moving there as an 18-year-old to study, so to be working on such a high profile event for the city feels like giving back some of what Swansea gave to me.

"Being asked to design the Swansea 2014 winners' medals is the kind of job that, potentially, comes around once in a lifetime.

"To be entrusted with designing one of the Championships' most important legacies feels like winning a medal in itself!

"When I set up my design business, Goldfox, in 2011, I never expected it would lead to such a fantastic entry into my portfolio just three years in.

"I'm treating this as proof that - just as the athletes will find in 50 days time - applying hard work, training and dedication to any natural talents you're lucky enough to have can turn them into achievements you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.

"I would like to thank the Swansea 2014 team for the opportunity, and hope they are as proud of what we have created as I am."

Designer of the medals, Chris Fox, is also the man behind the distinctive logo at the heart of the 2014 IPC Athletics European Championships ©Swansea 2014



The core inspiration for the design of the Swansea 2014 medals was the concept of "breaking the mould", say Swansea 2014 organisers.

Just as the athletes themselves redefine their own potential and defy expectations, the organisers wanted to create medals that forge new ground away from preconceived ideas of what a medal should look like.

The dragon emblem that represents the Championships is highly sculptured, and this is carried into the surfacing of the medals to create a sharp, unique and forward-thinking design, organisers added.

The medals' predominant feature is a ring of six interlocking sculptural forms which represent the six core values of the Championships: passion, equality, excitement, inspiration, strength and pride.

Commenting on the medal design, Paul Thorburn, chair of Swansea 2014, said: "From the moment Swansea won the right to host the Championships our intention has been to deliver an event that exceeded all expectations, ensuring that this is the best European Championships ever held and that every athlete, official and spectator has a truly outstanding experience.

"The medals that will be awarded in August are a key part of the athletes' experience, something that will stay with them for a life-time; the design reflects the ambition of the team, the city and the country.

"The overarching impetus was to create medals the athletes would be proud to win, and that Swansea can be proud to bestow.

"Hopefully we've done just that."

The Championships at Swansea University Stadium are due to be held from August 18 to 23.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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