Rare winner's medal awarded to a track and field athlete for her victory in the women's 4 × 400 metres relay race at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 85 mm, 430 gm, by David Watkins. The front of the medal features text across the top, "XXX Olympiad London 2012," above the winged Nike over Panathinaikon Stadium with the Acropolis in the background; the reverse features the emblem of the London Games against an abstract linear background. The event, “Athletics, Women's, 4 x 400m Relay,” is engraved along the bottom edge of the medal. Includes its purple ribbon with "London 2012" and the Olympic rings embroidered in white. Includes the original information card and black winner’s medal case, which is heavily scuffed and worn (as typical for this issue), and missing its form-fitting velvet liner. Additionally includes the associated Team USA "Gold Medalist" ring.
This sought-after winner’s medal was awarded to a member of Team USA's women's track team for their performance in the women's 4 × 400 metres relay, which saw DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Francena McCorory, and Sanya Richards-Ross win convincingly in the final, finishing at a world-leading 3:16.87 pace. Keisha Baker and Diamond Dixon were also awarded gold medals for running in the qualifying heat, in which Team USA also took first. The accompanying "London 2012 Victory Medal" card explains the symbolism of the winner's medal: "The medal's circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal depicts the same imagery as at all the Summer Games - the Greek Goddess of Victory Nike stepping out of the Parthenon to arrive in the Host City. The reverse features five symbolic elements: A curved background represents a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre…an architectural expression and a metaphor for the modern city. It is deliberately jewel-like…The grid suggests both a pulling together and a sense of outreach - an image of radiating energy representing the efforts of the winning athletes…The River Thames in the background is a recognisable symbol of London. It also suggests a fluttering ribbon, adding a sense of celebration…The square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design, emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset."
