Olympic Order

The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is awarded for particularly distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement, i.e. recognition of efforts worthy of merit in the cause of sport. It was established in May 1975 by the International Olympic Committee as a successor to the Olympic Certificate. The Olympic Order originally had three grades (gold, silver and bronze). In 1984, at the 87th IOC Session in Sarajevo (Yugoslavia), it was decided that in future there would be no distinction between the silver and bronze order. The gold order would continue to be awarded to heads of state and for exceptional circumstances. Traditionally, the IOC bestows the Olympic Order upon the chief national organiser(s) at the closing ceremony of each respective Olympic Games.

Olympic Order
Gold and Silver Olympic Orders
Given for	Contribution to the Olympic Movement
Presented by	International Olympic Committee
History
First award	1975
Most wins	Nadia Comăneci (2 times i.e. 1984, 2004)

Olympic Order and its relative badge, produced by GDE Bertoni Milano, Collection Fabio Ferrari

The insignia of the Olympic Order is in the form of a collar (or chain), in Gold, Silver or Bronze according to grade; the front of the chain depicts the five rings of the Olympic Movement, flanked on either side by kotinos emblem (olive wreath). A lapel badge, in the form of the five rings in Gold, Silver and Bronze according to grade, is presented to recipients to wear as appropriate.

Nadia Comăneci is the only athlete to be awarded the Olympic Order twice (1984, 2004). She is also the youngest recipient of Olympic Order since 1984 when she was only 23 years old at the time of award.