Besides the unique design, rare materials are also what make the medals special at the 30th SEA Games.
According to the host nation Philippines, these medals were designed by sculptor Daniel dela Cruz with inspiration from national pride.
Three prestigious Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at SEA Games 30.
Each medal that the host country presents to an athlete at the 30th SEA Games has an image of a sail, one of the country’s distinctive features. The back will be the place where the athletes are honored.
Besides the unique design, rare materials are also what make the medals special at the 30th SEA Games. Accordingly, this medal is not made of gold but is finished from metal. The most precious metal in the world, is 6 times more expensive than gold.
This precious metal, called Rhodium , is used to make ripples on each medal. It is known that Rhodium is a silver-white metal, hard and durable because it is very resistant to corrosion, less translucent and difficult to scratch.
The only thing that can cause Rhodium to corrode is Sulfuric Acid (colorless, odorless and viscous liquid, soluble in water, in a highly exothermic reaction). At the same time, Rhodium also has very high light reflection properties, so it is very eye-catching.
Because rhodium does not exist in its pure form, but is found in compounds , mixed with other substances in platinum or nickel ores in very small quantities, the price of rhodium is often many times more expensive than gold.
In addition, the 30th SEA Games bronze medal is also the first bronze medal with rose gold color instead of brown color.
“Whether you win bronze, silver or gold, it’s a success. Usually, bronze medals will be brown. For the first time, instead of using brown, the Philippines has created a medal with a color called rose gold,” said Daniel dela Cruz.