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Team Great Britain and Great Britain Paralympic athletes are honoured on the Royal Mint's new 50 pence coin ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The collectible coin features Olympic and Paralympic athletes side by side against a backdrop of the British flag.
As a mark of respect for Paris, the base of the coin features a silhouette of the Eiffel Tower.
The Royal Mint has revealed that Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes will receive their own coins in their kit bags.
To celebrate this launch, the Mint invited Team GB athletes Andrea Spendolini-Siriès and Ruby Evans, along with Paralympic GB representatives Will Bailey and Funmi Oduwaiye, to strike the first coin.
“It’s an honour to be at the Olympics in itself, but to receive the coin is even more amazing,” said Great Britain diver Spendolini-Siris.
![(Royal Mint/Pennsylvania)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/02/00/27101100-a36194b1-ce14-43ad-83b3-1503b342ea66.jpg)
“It’s even more special when you see the process, and it’s amazing to know and see the effort that went into it.”
Bailey, a table tennis star and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, said: “I’m a proud Paralympic athlete so it feels special to have my team represented on the coin.
“Being able to create my own coin was truly an honor and one I will remember for a long time to come.”
![(Royal Mint/Pennsylvania)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/02/00/27101604-36fb526d-f6e5-4b2a-8c49-ad85396ba4c9.jpg)
Rebecca Morgan, Head of Commemorative Coins at the Royal Mint, said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of sporting events, highlighting the incredible talent of athletes from around the world.
“We hope this coin will be a special lucky token and everyone at the Royal Mint will be cheering on Team GB and the ParalympicsGB athletes.”
Collectible 50p coins commemorating Team GB and ParalympicsGB are available to buy from the Royal Mint website, with coloured editions of the coins also available, with prices starting from £12.