By Miyoko Ishigami
(Photo feature)TOKYO, Aug 1 (KUNA) -- All medals awarded to athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Games were produced using precious metals extracted from small electronic devices donated by people in Japan.
To produce some 5,000 gold, silver and bronze medals, the organizer collected used mobile phones and other small electronic devices through the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project.
The initiative made Tokyo 2020 the first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to involve citizens in the production of medals and to manufacture the medals using recycled metals.
Under the nationwide campaign, municipalities collected about 80,000 tons of small electronic devices, while 6.2 million used mobile phones were handed to operators. Altogether, these yielded 32 kg of gold, 3,500 kg of silver and 2,200 kg of bronze.
The design of Tokyo Olympics medals embodies the energy of the athletes and those who support them, and symbolizes diversity. The medals also resemble rough stones that have been polished and now shine with "light" and "brilliance," which are their overall themes. (end) mk.bs