Here is what is currently known about the 2028 Olympic medals:
- Host City Responsibility: The design of the Olympic medals is the responsibility of the host city's organizing committee and varies for each edition of the Games. The LA28 organizers, in collaboration with the Nike Design Team and Works Collective, are managing the creative direction.
- Design Process: The LA28 organizing committee has focused on an evolving emblem (logo) where the "A" in "LA28" is interchangeable and has been designed by various athletes, artists, and celebrities to reflect the diversity of Los Angeles. It is likely this collaborative and dynamic approach will influence the final medal design.
- Standard Composition: While the design is unique to each host city, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) mandates the composition of the medals:
- Gold Medals: Must be made of at least 92.5% silver and plated with a minimum of 6 grams of pure gold.
- Silver Medals: Must be at least 92.5% pure silver.
- Bronze Medals: An alloy primarily composed of copper, zinc, and tin.
- Record Medal Events: The LA28 Games will feature a record 351 medal events, including new sports and mixed-gender events like flag football, squash, and a 4x100 meter mixed relay in athletics.
- Sustainability: Following a recent trend of incorporating recycled materials in Olympic medals (e.g., Paris 2024 medals included a piece of the Eiffel Tower iron), it is anticipated that the LA28 medals will also incorporate elements of sustainability or unique local materials.