Olympic Winter Games Sapporo 1972 Medals

Front: Ski slalom trails and speedskating stadium are depicted as patterns of slightly raised lines which were designed to produce feelings of peace and security. Sports pictogram on plaque attaching medal to ribbon.

Back: Emblem of the Sapporo Winter Games alongside Japanese sun and legend, legend in Japanese above. Legend: "XI Olympic Winter Games Sapporo 1972" with sport event noted above medal on plaque.

Ribbon: Light blue ribbon with the five Olympic colors on edges.
Prize medals presented in black velvet case

Designer: Kazumi Yagi & Ikko Tanaka
Mint: Mint Bureau of the Finance Ministry, Tokyo, Japan

Sapporo 1972

Speedskaters Anne Henning and Diane Holum were the only multiple medalists for the United States, collectively winning a medal in each of the women's speedskating events at Sapporo. Henning won gold in the women's 500-meter and bronze in the 1,000. Diane won gold in women's 1,500-meter and silver in the 3,000. Later in life, Holum became even more famous as Beth and Eric Heiden's speedskating coach.