Winner of medal design competition presented with a set of “his” medals by IOC President Bach
The winner of the medal design competition for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, Dante Akira Uwai, was presented with a commemorative set of gold, silver and bronze medals by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Gangneung, Republic of Korea.
The IOC President complimented Uwai on his work, which Uwai entered in the competition under the title “A Sparkling Future”: “The medal is wonderful. It translates real Olympic sport and the Olympic values in an abstract way to the design. I am very excited about it and I am sure the athletes will be as excited, not only about winning the medal but also about winning such an inspiring and wonderful medal.”
“Receiving this set of medals from the IOC President is such a wonderful moment,” Uwai said. “I’m honoured, it is a very special moment to me.”
I found out that I had won the competition in a moment of doubt, and winning this competition was a sign that I must continue my dream as a designer.
Inspired by the Gangwon 2024 motto
Uwai’s design was chosen from over 3,000 submissions. “A Sparkling Future” is a geometric interpretation of the Gangwon 2024 motto “grow together, shine forever”. The young architect used vertical lines to convey the concept of growth, while the diverse group of YOG participants is represented by elements created through cut-outs and texture changes.
A variety of shapes and forms were also used to further depict diversity and how we can all contribute to peaceful coexistence. Finally, the polished finishes created dynamic sparks of light, symbolising a desire to make positive changes in the world – a key message of the Olympic Games themselves.
Celebrated by President Bach
In honour of his design featuring on the medals awarded to athletes who finish on the podium at the fourth edition of the Winter YOG, Uwai was invited to Gangwon to experience the Games for himself, with President Bach presenting him with a commemorative set of medals.
While the obverse of the medal was designed by Dante Akira Uwai, the artwork for the reverse emerged from a collaborative workshop hosted by the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee (YOGOC), in partnership with 19 local art school students from the Gangwon Arts High School and Yanggu Middle School.