Olympic Games, Atlanta

ATLANTA OLYMPIC GAMES
State Medal 1996/5756

The 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta corresponded with the 100th anniversary of the renewal of the Olympic Games in 1896. About 10,000 athletes from 197 countries participated in the Games (the Israeli delegation consisted of 25 athletes). In 1936, a delegation from Eretz Israel was invited to participate in the Olympic Games in Berlin. However, the Olympic Committee of Eretz Israel decided not to partipated in the Games under the Nazis. In 1948, after the establishment of the State of Israel, Great Britain prevented the participation of the new State in the Games in London. Therefore, the first time that Israel actually participated in the Olympic Games was in 1952, in Helsinki. In 1972, 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by terrorists during the Games in München and they will never be forgotten. The is the fourth time that a medal is issued by the State of Israel in honor of the Olympic Games and the medal is always issued in coordination with the Olympic Committee of Israel. The Atlanta Medal is different from its precedents (Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona) in that it has color added!

Obverse: A colorful imprint of the official insignia of the Olympic Committee of Israel surrounded by the words "1896 Athens, 1996 Atlanta" in Hebrew and English.

Reverse: The number 100 in the center, surrounded by the words "Olympic Games" in Hebrew and English, with symbols of the various branches of sports along the border

Edge: Israel State Emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" in Hebrew and English, metal and serial number.

Designer: Dror Ben Dov Insignia Design - Ilan Nissim

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Hecht Products, Kretschmer and The Government Mint