Both trophies and medals are characterized as representing victory in some competitive event. Particularly, its use has become quite common in sporting events.
The meaning acquired by the gold, silver and bronze medals, which represent the achievements of first, second and third places in the Olympic Games, gained greater space than their initial trigger, to the point that it is very common to hear children during games everyday life, to say: “I won gold”, instead of saying that I won the game.
Historically, specifically in Antiquity, athletes who won events at the Olympic Games received a laurel wreath, as a symbol of victory, and were considered heroes in their region. With the insertion of the Olympic Games in modern times, the type of award was modified: following the connotation of value acquired by noble metals, the symbol of winner refers to gold; an almost silver winner; and third place to bronze.
In the case of the football World Cup, a competition that began recently in 1930, the element of victory, so coveted, is the trophy. The first International Football Federation – FIFA – trophy for the World Cup was the “Jules Rimet Cup”. This trophy was designed by Abel Lafleur, from a lapis lazuli base, featuring the Greek goddess Nique and, on top of her, an octagonal-shaped cup. The material used was gold and silver.
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Only the team that won the competition three times was allowed permanent possession. Soon, the only country to get possession of the cup was Brazil, but it was soon stolen and never found.
Jules Rimet was replaced with the “FIFA World Cup” in 1974. Permanent possession of this trophy is not permitted under any circumstances. The name of the winning World Cup team is written on the base of the Cup. The constitution of the FIFA World Cup was created by Silvio Gazzaniga and produced by Milano Bertoni. Its base is made of malachite and the cup is made of gold, whose shape is the planet Earth held by two men.
By Paula Rondinelli
Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
PhD student in Latin American Integration at the University of São Paulo – USP