136Chapter Seven / THE OLYMPIC BRANDThe Medals"An Olympic medal is a cherished possession for every athlete - it's what we all strive for when we train and compete. To feel it being placed around your neck on the podium or seeing children's eyes light up when you show it to them are experiences that defywords. Seeing these beautiful medals today makes me wish I was competing again in 2010."Jill Bakken, US Bobsleigh gold medallist at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter GamesThe stunning Vancouver 2010 medals were inspired by the ocean waves, drifting snow andmountainous landscape found in the host region and throughout Canada, while the dramatic,undulating design marked the first time an Olympic medal has not been flat.The design on each medal was based on a large piece of Aboriginal artwork by Canadian artist Corrine Hunt, which depicts an orca whale in a traditional West Coast First Nations style. Each medalfeatures a unique hand-cropped section of the artwork, making every medal one-of-a-kind.The medals were created with direct input from Olympic athletes, who shared their experiences about medals they had won at past Games and what they would like to see in future medals.Produced by Vancouver 2010 Official Supporter the Royal Canadian Mint, the medals are among theheaviest ever created for the Games, with the significant weight representing the magnitude of the athlete's accomplishment.