A torchbearer during the Moscow 1980 Games Torch relay ©IOC

The obverse comprises a design by Tuscan artist Giuseppe Cassioli. This motif can be found on the obverse of all the winner’s medals presented at the Summer Games since 1928 with the exception of three special cases: Barcelona'92, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. An inscription, in Cyrillic, allows us to make the link with the Moscow Games. This is its transcription in the Latin alphabet and its translation: “Igry XXII Olympiady Moskva 1980” / “Games of the XXII Olympiad, Moscow 1980”©IOC

Dozens of Mishas at a show organised on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the Moscow OG ©IOC

The final torchbearer, basketballer Sergei Belov, in the Moscow Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony ©IOC

The reverse of this medal is very different from its obverse. However, it is not the work of the same artist. While the obverse was a creation by Giuseppe Cassioli, the reverse was designed by Ilya Postol, a young Soviet sculptor. We can see several elements that stand out through their stylisation: an Olympic cauldron, an athletics track in the background and the official logo of the Moscow Games on the top right ©CIO

On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA - 1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the figure of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: “ИГРЬІ XXII ОЛИМПАДЫ МОСКВА 1980”. On the reverse, a stylised Olympic Bowl with a burning flame (not burning a burning flame) against the background of a stadium arena. The upper right-hand segment, carries the emblem of the 1980 Games in Moscow. The name of the sport appears on the rim.

View of the delegations standing in front of the Misha mascot created by the public holding up boards ©IOC

Olympic Mascot, Misha the bear

Olympic Mascot, Misha the bear

MOSCOW - 1980: Daley Thompson of Great Britian competes in the Men's decathlon high jump event during the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic games at the Lenin Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Thompson went on to win the Gold Medal in this event. (Photo by Getty Images)