Royal Mint Release 'Inspirational' Team GB Olympics Coins

Britain's Royal Mint has released the new coin designs that will enable Brits to celebrate Team GB's Olympians and Paralympians.

Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes have helped launch a new coin design to celebrate the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

The Royal Mint has created the collectible coin to inspire the nation, with an Olympic and Paralympic athlete featured side by side against a backdrop of the Union Flag.

In a special nod to Paris, a silhouette of the iconic Eiffel Tower can be seen at the base of the coin.

To mark the launch, Team GB athletes Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Ruby Evans, and Will Bayley and Funmi Oduwaiye from ParalympicsGB, were invited to The Royal Mint to strike some of the very first coins.

Each Team GB and ParalympicsGB athlete will also receive their own coin in their kit bags before they make their way to Paris.

During the visit, Team GB diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix said: “It is an honour in itself to be going to the Olympics, but to also have a coin coming with us is incredible.

“Seeing the process makes it even more special, knowing the work that goes into it and seeing it in real life is amazing.”

ParalympicsGB six-time medal winner Will Bayley added: “I’m a proud Paralympic athlete, so to have us as a team represented on a coin makes me feel special.

“It was a real privilege to be able to strike my very own coin and will be something that I remember for many years to come.”

The United Kingdom has participated in every modern Olympic Games since its inception in 1896.

It also has a proud history as the birthplace of Paralympic sport, which began with the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 and, much like its Olympic counterpart, has become one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “We hope the coin brings our Olympians and Paralympians luck, so they can emulate the achievements of past medal winners.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of sporting events, highlighting the incredible talent of athletes across the world.

“We hope the coin serves as a special good luck token and - everyone at The Royal Mint will be cheering on our Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes!”

The collectible 50p coin celebrating Team GB and ParalympicsGB is available to purchase from The Royal Mint’s website, with colour editions of the coin also available.

Prices start from £12.