Beautiful winner’s medal issued for a Cuban baseball player at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. Silver with inlaid jade, 70 mm, 186 gm, by Medal Design Group, China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Elena Votsi. Created from ancient Chinese jade patterns, the medal consists of silver and jade, which symbolize nobility and virtue. Jade has been regarded as a virtue since ancient times, and the embodiment of Chinese traditional values of ethics and honor. The front depicts the standing goddess of Victory against panoramic imagery of the Panathinaikos Arena, with text above reading: “XXIX Olympiad Beijing 2008”; the reverse features the Beijing Games emblem surrounded by inlaid jade and the outer circle engraved with the sport, “Baseball.” The design inspiration of the medal hook derives from jade ‘huang,’ a ceremonial jade piece decorated with a double dragon pattern and ‘Pu,’ the reed mat pattern. Includes the original red-and-orange ribbon, with separation to seam. The medal is also accompanied by its gorgeous red rosewood presentation case and traditional Chinese brocade box, as well as the original silver medal winner’s pin, marked “24830” on the back, with its attractive red case.
Held at the Wukesong Baseball Field between August 13-23, the baseball tournament of the 2008 Beijing Games consisted of a preliminary round robin format—all eight teams playing each other once—and single elimination rounds featuring the top four countries. South Korea was a dominant force throughout the Olympics, going 7-0 in preliminaries en route to staying undefeated and winning the gold medal. The silver medal team from Cuba was nearly just as impressive, finishing 7-2, with both losses coming at the hands of South Korea. The 2008 Games were the last to feature baseball or softball as an Olympic sport; however, following a 2016 IOC vote, baseball will again be conducted for the 2020 Games. A rare and immensely desirable Olympic medal from the historic Beijing Olympiad. From The Mason Dinehart Collection.
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