The Stuttgart-based mint received a celebrity visit on Wednesday 21 August 2019: gymnast and Olympic Games winner Fabian Hambüchen came to the mint press to stamp the winners’ medal for the upcoming Gymnastics World Cup. The event is to take place this October in Stuttgart and it has already been tipped as “one of the best gymnastics world cups of all time”.
Mr Hambüchen was up by 4.30 a.m. to make it to Stuttgart on time as the doors of the State Mints of Baden-Württemberg opened for him. Yet it was worth the early start: eyes gleaming, he soon held the winners’ medal for the upcoming Gymnastics World Cup which he stamped with his own hands. It was a first for him: “That was my first visit to a mint, and I am really impressed at how much technology and fine detail goes into a medal like this. “I am honored to be able to stamp this medal”, said the expert gymnast.
A one-of-a-kind project
A sophisticated, artistic design, with a motif just shy of three millimeters high and a medal band made from recycled plastic bottles – it doesn’t take long to realise that this year’s winners’ medal is something truly special. Wolfgang Drexler, President of the Swabian Gymnastics Federation, summarized the team’s efforts: “An excellent medal – full of innovation and creativity. It is one of a kind.”
This story owes its success to the close collaborative ties between the State Mint of Baden-Württemberg and the family-run manufacturing firm led by Bernd Kußmaul, in addition to five other local businesses. From the initial concept through to feasibility studies and tweaking the manufacturing process, a great deal of commitment and trust was required throughout. “We worked together to achieve perfection”, revealed Mint Director Dr. Peter Huber.
Not your typical day at work
The employees at the State Mint of Baden-Württemberg were also delighted at this unusual visit and diversion from their daily routine. “I myself am a gymnast and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to get a photograph taken with Fabian Hambüchen”, enthused an employee. Mr Hambüchen spent the morning break with employees in a relaxed atmosphere where he proved to be very approachable and open to answering questions. “You can really see how much love and dedication goes into their work. It’s the same for gymnastics”, said Hambüchen. “Whoever receives this medal in October should feel honored.”
Now that the winning medals have seen the light of day and the world cup preparations are in full swing, excitement turns to the championships as they draw closer. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all good luck to all the German athletes and we cannot wait to see the medal resting on the chest of its worthy winner.