The Estonian Athletic Association’s search for an original medal design for the European Athletics U23 Championships came to a successful end when architects Risto Parve and Kai Süda of “KARISMA architects” were chosen as winners of the medal design contest for their design entitled 'The SHIFT”.
The medals were presented at a special press conference located at the Kadriorg Stadium which will host Europe's best under-23 athletes from 9-12 July in Tallinn-
According to the President of the Tallinn 2015 Local Organising Committee and Estonian Athletic Association, Erich Teigamägi, both the quality and quantity of entries to the design competition was high. “It was great to see that the importance of these championships has expanded outside sports circles and Estonian professionals happily took part. It was equally great to see young people so interested in the design contest – our youngest participant was an 8th grader from Valga elementary school. The competition was very tough, especially for the win. I believe the winning design is original and dignified and will stand out among other rewards,” said Teigamägi.
A total of 17 designs by 15 authors were submitted to the contest, including projects from professional designers, students, as well as just design and sports fans.
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The authors of the winning concept, architects Risto Parve and Kai Süda said: “We have planned and designed projects on very different scales – from big public buildings, churches, theatres and transport terminals, to very small objects. The story of this magical athletics stadium and track inspired us to explore beyond our usual style,” said Parve.
According to the authors, the design symbolises gradually increasing paths, goals, challenges; athletes’ efforts to reach further, higher and better, striving for perfection. The centre of the medal depicts a figurative stadium with tracks and tribunes – an oval, which transforms into a perfect circle – depicting the perfect performance.
'The Shift' was also chosen as the favourite design of 400m hurdler Rasmus Mägi, who is the proud owner of medals from both the Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships and Tampere 2013 European Athletics U23 Championships. “From my experience, I prefer the medal to be round, relatively big and somewhat heavy. So this design stood out to me as the potential winner,” said Mägi.