Canada launches gold nugget package to honour first Olympic gold medal

Monday, 15th February 2010

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched a commemorative package to celebrate the country's first gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver which includes nuggets containing the metals used in the actual creation of the medals for the games.
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Provided by Teck Resources, the nuggets have been released along with a special souvenir medallion designed by the mint in honour of the country's achievement in sport.
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"The mint congratulates Alexandre Bilodeau for his unprecedented victory and all members of the Canadian Olympic team for their lifelong dedication to sport and for bringing the country together to watch each thrilling moment of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games," commented minister of state Rob Merrifield.
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A 22-c C$200 Olympic gold coin has also been minted in Canada to celebrate hosting the international event.
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Bilodeu won the gold for his performance in the men's moguls freestyle on February 14th - becoming the first Canadian to win a gold medal in the event on home soil - and is set to be presented with one of the 2,010 limited-edition gold collectibles at a special presentation at the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion within the coming days