The reverse of the medal consists of various elements: on the right, there is the official emblem of the Games in Sapporo and the Olympic rings accompanied, on the left, by a typically Japanese sun. There are also two inscriptions, in English (“XI / Olympic / Winter / Games / Sapporo 72”) on the lower part, and the same text in Japanese on the upper part ©IOC

On the obverse, some lines cast slightly in relief represent the soft, feathery snow, as well as the sharp, pointed ice- evocative of a typical Japanese scene of peace and serenity. The obverse was designed by Kazumi Yagi. On the reverse, the inscription “XI OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES SAPPORO'72” (and in Japanese) and the official emblem of the Games. The reverse was designed by Ikko Tanaka. The medals were made at the Mint Bureau of the Finance Ministry.

Japanese skater Tomoo Kurosawa arrives at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, torch in hand, during a rehearsal for the ceremonies organised in the country in honour of the Olympic flame passing through ©Keystone

The Olympic flame in the Athens Stadium ©IOC

Eighteen year-old Marie-Theres Nadig from Switzerland won gold medals in the downhill and giant slalom, beating the Austrian favourite Anne-Marie Proell. She is seen here being carried in triumph after one of her victories (Sapporo 1972 OG) ©IOC

2nd March 1972: L-R: British skiers Valentina Iliffe, Carol Blackwood, Gina Hathorne and Divina Galica of the women's Olympic team pose in a row on a ski slope in Sapporo, Japan, Winter Olympic Games. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

Sapporo 1972-HOLUM Dianne (USA), 1st 1500 m and 2nd 3000 m.

Sapporo 1972-HOLUM Dianne (USA), 1st 1500 m and 2nd 3000 m.

Sapporo 1972-Bird's eye view of Mount Eniwa, women (1)and men (2) downhill. ke place.

Japanese ice skater Tomoo Kurosawa arrives at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo carrying the Olympic Flame during a rehearsal for the Sapporo Winter Olympics, 11th January 1972. The last batch of torches were defective, causing the flame to die during the relay, and have had to be replaced. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)