France Paris
VIII International Olympic Games

In 1924, the Olympic Movement celebrated its 30th anniversary. The IOC highly appreciated the contribution of the Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin, a person who initiated the revival of the Olympics. As suggested by P. de Coubertin, the IOC decided to hold the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. It was the last Olympic celebration promoted by P. de Coubertin. 
Totally, 3088 athletes (including 135 female ones) of 44 nations competed at the Games. Athletes of Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Rumania, Uruguay, Philippines and Ecuador made their debut there. Germany was banned from competing at the Paris Olympics. 
Totally, 126 sets of medals had been played for in 21 sports (according to other sources – in 17 sports). 
These Olympics were the first which were celebrated under the Latin motto “CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!” (English: «FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER!»). 
The Athlete’s Oath was voiced by French athlete Geo Andre. 
Officially, the Games of the VII Olympiad were opened by French President Gaston Doumergue.
The winners received the silver-gilt medals as the first prize, silver medals as the second prize and bronze medals as the third one. 

OBVERSE: a nude victorious athlete, taking the hand of his rival, seated on the ground, to help him to get up; falling sun rays in the background, and five Olympic rings underneath. The medal ornament of small balls appears around the medal rim. 
REVERSE: a composition of various examples of the sports equipment - fencing mask, ski, ski pole, ball, oar, javelin, disk and shot - the symbols of the multi-sport Summer and Winter Olympics. On the left, a harp symbolizes the cultural programme of the Games. In the centre, a four-line inscription in French reads “VIIIe OLYMPIADE PARIS 1924” (VIII Olympiad, Paris, 1924), with the initials of the designer “A.R.” around the left rim.

OBVERSE: a scene of the winged Goddess of Victory crowning a triumphant athlete with a laurel wreath, with four Olympic athletes standing behind him. Five athletes standing in line symbolize five continents participating in the Games. The author’s signature, “Raul Binar”, is engraved underneath.
REVERSE: a city view of Paris in a segment with a three-line legend in French “VIII Olympiade - Paris -1924” (VIII Olympiad – Paris – 1924) underneath. Below the date are the initials of the designer “R.B.” (Raul Binar).
Totally, 9500 copies of the commemorative medal had been made.

GOLD WINNER MEDAL (FIRST PRIZE)

Metal	silver-gilt
Diameter	55 mm
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	77,5 g
Designer	Andre Rivaud
Mint	Paris Mint(Paris, France)

SILVER WINNER MEDAL (SECOND PRIZE)

Metal	silver
Diameter	55 mm
Thickness	2,8 mm
Weight	76 g
Designer	Andre Rivaud
Mint	Paris Mint(Paris, France)

BRONZE WINNER MEDAL (THIRD PRIZE)

Metal	bronze
Diameter	55 mm
Thickness	3,5 mm
Weight	70 g
Designer	Andre Rivaud
Mint	Paris Mint(Paris, France)

BRONZE COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL 

Metal	bronze
Diameter	55 mm
Thickness	4 mm
Weight	72 g
Designer	Raoul Benard
Mint	Paris Mint(Paris, France)