Award Category:
Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal front
Australian Sports Medal back
Significance
The Australian Sports Medal commemorates the efforts of Australians who have made our country a nation of sporting excellence.
Nominations were called for in 2000 – the year in which Sydney hosted the Olympic and Paralympic games.
History
The Prime Minister announced the creation of the Australian Sports Medal on 31 December 1998.
This commemorative medal was introduced to recognise Australian sporting achievements. The medal acknowledged a range of Australians who, in different ways, contributed to the nation’s sporting success. Recipients included former competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintain sporting facilities and services.
The Australian Sports Medal was formally established on 23 December 1999 by Letters Patent.
Recipients
Belinda Clark AM was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000
How it is awarded
The Australian Sports Medal was awarded by the Governor-General.
Most of the medals were presented to people following their nomination by the sports community. Peak sports bodies recognised or funded by the Australian Sports Commission were given quotas according to a formula based on the number of their registered competitors. All Australian parliamentarians were able to make nominations.
The medals were progressively awarded during the year 2000.
The Australian Sports Medal does not carry a post-nominal entitlement.
Medal Design
The Australian Sports Medal design symbolises Australian sport featuring the stars of the Southern Cross, and lines depicting the athletics track at the Australian Sports Stadium.
The medal is circular and made of nickel-silver with a highly polished finish. The words ‘to commemorate Australian sporting achievement’ appear in the raised rim of the medal.
The back of the medal features the same imagery as the front and is marked with the year ‘2000’.
Medal Ribbon
The Australian Sports Medal is suspended from a 32 millimetre ribbon by a connector piece and ring. The ribbon’s colours are Australia’s national colours green and gold.