The New Olympic Medal The Olympic medal has been completely redesigned for the 2004 Olympic games in Athens (see the full story on the Athens 2004 official website). On side one, the winged goddess of victory, Nikê, descends from the sky into the Panathenaic stadium, which was built in 1896 for the first celebration of the modern Olympic games in Athens. The elements on side two of the medal are three. First is the eternal flame that will be lit in Olympia and will travel through the five continents by way of the 2004 torch relay. The flame is accompanied by the opening lines of Pindar's Eighth Olympic Ode composed in 460 BC to honour the victory of Alkimedon of Aegina in wrestling. Finally, the design is completed with the Athens 2004 Olympic Games emblem. The design of the Medal was created by Elena Votsi. (Source: Athens 2004 Press Release, 7/2/2003) Pindar, Olympian 8.1-18 For Alcimedon of Aegina, Boys' Wrestling, 460 B. C. (trans. by Diane Svarlien) Mother of golden-crowned contests [athlos], Olympia, queen of truth! where prophets, judging from burnt sacrifices, inquire of Zeus of the flashing thunderbolt, if he has any message to give concerning men [5] whose spirits are seeking to attain great excellence [aretê] and a breathing-space from toils. Accomplishment is granted to the prayers of men in gratitude [kharis] for their piety. Well-wooded grove of Pisa beside the Alpheus, [10] welcome this victory-procession and the garland we bring to the victor; the man who is attended by your splendid prize of honor has great glory [kleos] forever.