A handout image obtained from the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) on July 27, 2011 shows the London 2012 Olympic medals designed by British artist David Watkins. The Olympic medals' circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the summer Games, the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the host city. The design for the reverse of the London 2012 Olympic medals contains five main symbolic elements: the dished background suggests a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre, the core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City, the grid brings both a pulling together and sense of outreach on the design - an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes' achievements and effort, the River Thames is a symbol for London and the square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design and emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset. AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO ATTENTION - EMBARGO, RELEASABLE Wednesday July 27, 2011 at 1830 GMT - THIS RESTRICTION APPLIES TO ALL MEDIA INCLUDING WEBSITES ---- EDITORS NOTE ---- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT *AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO* - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A handout image obtained from the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) on July 27, 2011 shows the London 2012 Olympic medals designed by British artist David Watkins. The Olympic medals' circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the summer Games, the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the host city. The design for the reverse of the London 2012 Olympic medals contains five main symbolic elements: the dished background suggests a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre, the core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City, the grid brings both a pulling together and sense of outreach on the design - an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes' achievements and effort, the River Thames is a symbol for London and the square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design and emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset. AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO ATTENTION - EMBARGO, RELEASABLE Wednesday July 27, 2011 at 1830 GMT - THIS RESTRICTION APPLIES TO ALL MEDIA INCLUDING WEBSITES ---- EDITORS NOTE ---- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT *AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO* - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A handout image obtained from the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) on July 27, 2011 shows a London 2012 Olympic medal designed by British artist David Watkins. The Olympic medals' circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the summer Games, the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the host city. The design for the reverse of the London 2012 Olympic medals contains five main symbolic elements: the dished background suggests a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre, the core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City, the grid brings both a pulling together and sense of outreach on the design - an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes' achievements and effort, the River Thames is a symbol for London and the square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design and emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset. AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO ATTENTION - EMBARGO, RELEASABLE Wednesday July 27, 2011 at 1830 GMT - THIS RESTRICTION APPLIES TO ALL MEDIA INCLUDING WEBSITES ---- EDITORS NOTE ---- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT *AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO* - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A handout image obtained from the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) on July 27, 2011 shows the London 2012 Olympic medals designed by British artist David Watkins. The Olympic medals' circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the summer Games, the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the host city. The design for the reverse of the London 2012 Olympic medals contains five main symbolic elements: the dished background suggests a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre, the core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City, the grid brings both a pulling together and sense of outreach on the design - an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes' achievements and effort, the River Thames is a symbol for London and the square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design and emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset. AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO ATTENTION - EMBARGO, RELEASABLE Wednesday July 27, 2011 at 1830 GMT - THIS RESTRICTION APPLIES TO ALL MEDIA INCLUDING WEBSITES ---- EDITORS NOTE ---- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT *AFP PHOTO / LOCOG/ HO* - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Britain's Princess Anne (L) and Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, hold the London 2012 gold, silver and bronze medals, as the one-year countdown to the Olympics began in central London on July 27, 2011. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT

Former British Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes (L) and Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, hold the London 2012 gold, silver and bronze medals, as the one-year countdown to the Olympics began in central London on July 27, 2011. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT

Former British Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes (L) and Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, hold the London 2012 gold, silver and bronze medals, as the one-year countdown to the Olympics began in central London on July 27, 2011. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT

Chairman of London 2012 Olympic Games, Sebastian Coe, right, and Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes show off the Olympic medals unveiled during the London 2012 Olympic one year to go ceremony at Trafalgar Square in London, Wednesday, July 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

The Olympic medals are seen on the hands of Chairman of London 2012 Olympic Games, Sebastian Coe, right, and Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes as the medals are unveiled during the London 2012 Olympic one year to go ceremony at Trafalgar Square in London, Wednesday, July 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

In this image made available by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on Wednesday July 27, 2011 shows London 2012 Olympic gold medal designed by British artist David Watkins. The front of the medal is on the right, all medals are 85mm in diameter. With one year to go until the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, London organizers completed the last of the Olympic Park's permanent venues Wednesday July 27, 2011 and promised to put on a safe and spectacular event that will captivate the world. (AP Photo/LOCOG, HO)

In this image made available by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on Wednesday July 27, 2011 show the London 2012 Olympic medals designed by British artist David Watkins. The front of the silver medal is at left, the back of the gold medal at centre and the front of the bronze medal is at right, all medals will be 85mm in diameter. With one year to go until the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, London organizers completed the last of the Olympic Park's permanent venues Wednesday July 27, 2011 and promised to put on a safe and spectacular event that will captivate the world. (AP Photo/LOCOG, HO) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

In this image made available by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on Wednesday July 27, 2011 shows the London 2012 Olympic gold medal designed by British artist David Watkins. The back of the medal is displayed in this image all medals will be 85mm in diameter. With one year to go until the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, London organizers completed the last of the Olympic Park's permanent venues Wednesday July 27, 2011 and promised to put on a safe and spectacular event that will captivate the world. (AP Photo/LOCOG, Ho) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

In this image made available by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on Wednesday July 27, 2011 show the London 2012 Olympic medals designed by British artist David Watkins. The front of the gold medal is displayed , left, the front of the silver medal, 2nd left, the front of the bronze medal 2nd right, and the back of the gold medal is at right. All medals will be 85mm in diameter. With one year to go until the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, London organizers completed the last of the Olympic Park's permanent venues Wednesday July 27, 2011 and promised to put on a safe and spectacular event that will captivate the world. (AP Photo/LOCOG, HO) EDITORIAL USE ONLY