The Most Prestigious Sports Awards in History

Over 3.5 billion people watched the World Cup last year. That's about half the people on the planet interested in a little game of footie for a 6-kilo gold trophy.

Eighty-seven per cent of the population watched Olympic athletes compete for weighty discs of silver and copper pressed by the Royal Mint in Wales.

The popular sporting events get all the attention. But how many people know about sports awards themselves?

There are several prestigious trophies, plaques and medals with stories to tell. Sports awards aren't just large silver cups or engraved brass plaques either. Read on to learn more.

Sports Awards in Ancient Greece

Honour for sports victors in Ancient Greece came in the form of a laurel wreath. Bronze tripods or other valuable gifts like statues were also common. The most prestigious form of sports awards were the Panathenaic amphoras--large urns filled with olive oil.

Modern Awards with Greek Roots

The 1882 Ashes Urn recalls the shape of a Greek amphora. It contains the ashes of a cricket ball! The small, prestigious award is for the winning cricket team in Australia vs. England.

Other amphorae shaped trophies include Wimbleton's Mens' Singles award and the Barclay's Premier League Trophy. Royal Ascot has the Queen's Vase. When you think of a classic silver cup, it has its roots in ancient Athens.

Trophies Commemorate Success

Trophies aren't always cups. The World Trophy amazes all viewers. It is a huge bronze globe and it stands almost two metres tall. It honours each continent's most outstanding amateur athlete.

No less impressive are the medals of the modern Olympic games. Each host country creates the familiar gold, silver and bronze sports awards in a unique design.

Winners of the Golf Champion Trophy in Scotland hoist a silver claret jug over their heads. Meanwhile, Wimbleton's Ladies' Singles display the silver rosewater dish. World Boxing Champions have dinner-plate-sized golden belts.

A U.K. Tradition

Plaques, cups, plates and more are a longstanding tradition for sportsmen (and women.) Noble patrons bestowed precious items of favour to gallant knights in medieval tales. Starting with Queen Victoria, modern patrons bestow gifts of the family plate, money and precious items to honour athletic triumphs.

No sporting club is complete without a corner to display their past glories to all.

Celebrate Large and Small Victories

There are plenty of reasons for athlete success. Talent, effort, competition and grit lead to rewards. Recognize athletes who distinguish themselves with a physical commemoration of the event.

There's no shortage of options for sports awards. Traditional trophies in a Greek cup shape, bowls or ewers are time-tested. Artistic trophy interpretations in glass or acrylic add a modern feel.

Choose award medals for recognition people can wear or wall plaques for something easy to display. An event fades from memory quickly, but trophies can last forever.

Want to learn more about the right award for your event? Contact us now!