As for the raven, she explained that it's a creature that is all things and Paralympic athletes have that in them. "I think the creativity of the raven gives us hope -- to accept when things don't work out and really rejoice when they do, " she said. In fact, as powerful tributes to the performances of the Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes who will receive them, the medals establish several other milestones. For the first time, Olympic and Paralympic Games medals are of similar size, the former being circular in shape while the latter a squared circle. They are among the heaviest in Games history at 500 to 576 grams each, the significant weight representing the magnitude of the athlete's accomplishment.

The bronze medal for the 2010 Para-Olympic Winter Games sits on display after the unveiling in Vancouver, British Columbia October 15, 2009

The medals were designed with direct input from Olympic and Paralympic athletes who shared their experiences about medals they won at past Games and what they would like to see in future medals. Their stories and dreams helped shape the medals. Jill Bakken, an Olympic gold medalist for the United States in bobsleigh said in the unveiling ceremony that an Olympic or Paralympic medal is a cherished possession for every athlete.

"To feel it being placed around your neck on the podium or seeing children's eyes light up when you show it to them are experiences that defy words."

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