Competitors receiving their medals in 1908
The receiving of Olympic medals has changed considerably from the early days of the Games. Here, in 1908, medals were given out, en masse, in a very informal manner.
The 1924 Olympic 100m champion, Harold Abrahams (of 'Chariots of Fire' fame), relished telling the story that, far from getting his gold medal at some glorious ceremony, he received it in the post some weeks after the Games in Paris had ended.
Today, of course, medals are awarded by dignitaries at victory ceremonies, complete with fanfares, anthems and national flags.
