The coveted Commonwealth Games medals, which thousands of athletes will be competing for over the next two weeks, have now been unveiled.

The medals have the Commonwealth Games Spirit of Friendship logo on one side and the Commonwealth Games Federation on the other. They weigh 150g and are attached to a 1m length of ribbon. The colour depends on the type of medal - blue for gold, red for silver and jade for bronze.

The Royal Mint have produced 524 gold medals, 524 silver and 594 bronze, as some events don 't have a third place play-off and will have more bronze medal-winners.

The gold medal has a sterling silver core and is plated with 22 carat gold, the silver medal is sterling silver and the bronze medal is solid bronze. Both the gold and silver medals are hallmarked.

Frances Done, chief executive of Manchester 2002, said: "These medals are the pinnacle of achievement for the athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games.

" They are under the tightest security at all times and will be a unique memento of the biggest multi-sport event ever held in the UK."