The medals for this year's International Association of Athletics Federations World Indoor Championships in Birmingham have been unveiled ©IAAF

The medals for this year's International Association of Athletics Federations World Indoor Championships in Birmingham have been unveiled.

Designed by Menna Jones, the reveal of the gold, silver and bronze medals coincides with the 50-days to go milestone.

Organisers of the Championships opted to challenge students at Birmingham City University's School of Jewellery with the task of designing the medals, with Jones coming out on top.

The second-year silversmith and jewellery student opted to focus on three Birmingham landmarks as part of her design - the Town Hall in Victoria Square, the Selfridges Building and the Library of Birmingham.

"I'm delighted that my design has been chosen and I can't believe some of the world's best athletes will be awarded a medal featuring my work when they come to the city in March," said Jones.

"I wanted my medal to be a strong reflection of Birmingham and highlight what the city has to offer. 

"I wanted to design a medal that the athletes could link to the city of Birmingham, with its unique individual features and landmarks. 

"My medal will be a memento of the city, allowing the athletes to remember the special time they've experienced here."

The medals were designed by Birmingham-based student Menna Jones ©IAAF
The medals were designed by Birmingham-based student Menna Jones ©IAAF

Action in the English city, which will also host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will take place at Arena Birmingham between March 1 and 4.

A total of 150 countries are expected at what will be the biggest-event the city has welcomed for 15-years.

"As the host city, for this major sporting event, it's really important for us to take this opportunity to showcase Birmingham," said Ian Ward, the leader of Birmingham City Council who also chairs the Executive Steering Group for the Championships.

"By having the medals designed by our very own School of Jewellery, selecting a design which perfectly reflects the wonderful mix of old and new architecture in the city centre and having the medals made in our world renowned Jewellery Quarter, we are doing just that.

"We love the design that Menna came up with and I would like to congratulate her on being selected as our official medal designer.

"Menna and the other students at the School of Jewellery have shown what talented young people we have studying here in Birmingham."