Why do the Olympics no longer give participation medals to all athletes that participate in the games?

Question

Why do the Olympics no longer give participation medals to all athletes that participate in the games?

Question #152364. Asked by queproblema.
Last updated Feb 15 2026.
Originally posted Feb 12 2026 4:24 PM.

satguru

Answer has 2 votes

satguru

Moderator
23 year member
1255 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.

They stopped for Tokyo in 2020 and have not been issued since. They were given to staff and athletes as a souvenir but paused for covid and have not returned so far.

https://www.theolympicdesign.com/collection/participation-medals/

Feb 14 2026, 9:11 PM

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Answer 1

elvislennon
Answer has 0 votes

elvislennon
15 year member
73 replies

Answer has 0 votes.

This is a myth. It has never been the case. Only the top three participants receive medals.

Feb 14 2026, 6:44 PM

Answer 2

I think they're real.

https://www.usopc.org/us-olympic-and-paralympic-foundation/news/2018/september/06/usopf-chairman-gordy-crawford-donates-collection-to-usoc

https://archivist.teamusa.org/vex3/index.htm

https://archivist.teamusa.org/

https://archivist.teamusa.org/vex3/toc.htm

https://www.olympic-museum.de/quickview/all_partmed.htm

Answer 3

Thank you, Satguru. That's what I know. I'd seen that page. Even if they stopped for Covid, why haven't they started again? That was my question--Why?
Editors: Maybe this isn't actual trivia. It sort of is, but I also just want to know why the participation medals are no longer awarded.

Why do the Olympics no longer give participation medals to all athletes that participate in the games?

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