bronze medal
Quick Summary
A bronze medal is awarded as the prize for third place in a sports competition. In the Olympic Games, the first-place winner receives a gold medal, the second-place finisher receives a silver medal, and the third-place competitor is awarded a bronze medal.12
Historically, solid gold medals were last given in 1912. Modern gold medals are at least 92.5 percent silver, coated with about six grams of pure gold. Silver medals are also primarily silver, while bronze medals are made from copper and other alloys. The tradition of awarding medals began with the modern Olympic era in 1896, though initially, only first and second place received medals, and they were silver and copper, respectively. By 1904, the gold, silver, and bronze system was established.3
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