Team Scotland’s athletes, and their competitors from around the Commonwealth, have received an inspirational boost to their preparation for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, with the design of the medals they will compete for in April next year revealed to the public for the first time.

A striking set of gold, silver and bronze medals, designed by Queensland-based Indigenous artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and brought to life by the Royal Australian Mint, were unveiled before 700 guests at the GC2018 Charity Gala and Medal Reveal at The Star Gold Coast.

With just 150 days to go until competition begins in Gold Coast, the medal reveal marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to the Games, which commence on 4 April 2018.

Each medal will be minted in the Royal Australian Mint’s largest coin press and inspected individually by hand to ensure the finest quality medals are presented to all Commonwealth Games podium finishers. Approximately 1,500 medals will be created for the Games.

GC2018 Ambassador and Olympic and dual Commonwealth Games hurdles gold medallist Sally Pearson OAM had the honour of being the first athlete to lay eyes on and hold the medals in an on-stage presentation with Ms Cockatoo-Collins, who shared her inspiration behind the design of both the medals and ribbon.

“My inspiration was drawn from the Gold Coast coastline, which for many generations, has been a place for gathering, meeting and sport,” she said.

“The medal design represents soft sand lines which shift with every tide and wave, also symbolic of athletic achievement. The continual change of tide represents the evolution in athletes who are making their mark. Records are made and special moments of elation are celebrated. Although the moment in time may be fleeting, it is forever marked within the shells that are brought upon its tidelines.

“The ribbon represents the woven strand of the freshwater reed, yungair, which is three reeds woven to form a pattern resembling many triangles joined together. This is reminiscent of the South East Queensland and Gold Coast areas.”

Commonwealth Games Federation President, Louise Martin CBE, said: “A medal is the ultimate and much-cherished prize for a Commonwealth athlete; and each athlete’s ongoing commitment and drive to attain them stirs hopes and dreams in all of us.

“They powerfully represent a host nation’s culture, marking the moment when history was made. I congratulate the medal designer and producers on an impactful set of prize medals, creating an enduring symbol of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“I am sure the athletes will love these medals and provide them with further inspiration and determination as we count down towards the Games in April.”

To read more about the Gold Coast 2018 medals, their designer and the production process, visit: gc2018.com/medals

Team Scotland are aiming for their most successful ever overseas Games in Gold Coast, surpassing their tally of 29 medals at the Melbourne 2006 Games.