Football World Cup: The Most Wanted Trophy
(By John Francis)
The World Cup is a small gold trophy representing the hopes and ambitions of every footballing nation on earth. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, there have been two trophies awarded to the winners.The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning the World Cup. Originally called simply the World Cup or Coupe du Monde, it was renamed in 1946 to honour the FIFA President Jules Rimet who in 1929 passed a vote to initiate the competition. Designed by Abel Lafleur and made of gold plated sterling silver on a blue base of lapis lazuli, it stood 35 cm high and weighed 3.8 kg. It was in the shape of an octagonal cup, supported by a winged figure representing Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory.
During World War II, the trophy was held by Italy. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA, hid it from the Germans in a shoe-box under his bed.
Just before the 1966 World Cup Final in England the trophy was stolen during a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall, but was found just seven days later, wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of a suburban garden hedge in Norwood, South London, by a dog named "Pickles". As a security measure, FIFA secretly manufactured a replica of the trophy for use in the post-match celebrations. The replica was also used on subsequent occasions until 1970. The replica was sold at an auction in 1997 for $425,015.There were many replicas on eBay at that time.
The Brazilian team won the trophy for the third time in 1970, and were rewarded by being allowed to keep it in perpetuity. However, the cup was stolen again in 1983 in Rio de Janeiro and never recovered; it may have been melted down. The Brazilian Football Confederation commissioned a replica of their own.
The replacement trophy, officially known as the FIFA World Cup Trophy, was first presented at the 1974 World Cup. Designed by Silvio Gazzaniga, it stands 36 cm tall and is made of 5 kg of 18 carat (75%) solid gold with a base containing two layers of malachite, and depicts two human figures holding up the Earth. The name of the country whose national team wins the tournament is engraved, together with the year, in the bottom side of the trophy. It is not known whether FIFA will retire the trophy after all of the name plaques at the base are filled in; this will occur after the 2038 World Cup.
FIFA's regulations now state that the trophy, unlike its predecessor, cannot be won outright: the winners of the tournament receive it on loan for four years and receive a replica to keep.
World Cup Football i http://www.worldcupfootballi.com/ offers information about the soccer world cup.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francis
Back to main 2010 Football World Cup Atricles page...
All rights for the article above are reserved to the respective authors, unless otherwise stated. |
|
| |
|
Accommodation in South Africa is set to be at an all time
premium for the World Cup in 2010.
click here for
details of where to find accommodation and what to look
for.
read More |
 |
|
Learn about South Africa - it's major cities and towns
and where the games are to be played so you can plan
ahead for your entertainment and accommodation needs. read More |
 |
|
South
Africa is as diverse as it is beautiful. Don't miss
out on a fantastic opportunity to see some of the
spectacular places and wildlife during your visit.
click here for travel and safaris |
 |
|
If you are looking for business opportunities in South
Africa leading up to the World Cup 2010, then consult some
of the top business directories, here.
click here for business directories |
 |
|
If you are looking for adventure activities while you are in South
Africa for the World Cup 2010, then you won't be
disappointed.
click here for adventure activities
|
 |
|
|
Copyright 2KO
International 1999 - 2009 | seo by 1st Place | site map
Other
2KO Sites:
Amazon South Africa|Cape Town Accommodation|Business in SA| Business Plans Guide | Camps Bay Hotel|Car Hire|Cheap Flights|Christian Business|Computer Training South Africa|Online Dating South Africa|Directory South Africa|Disney World Travel|Islands Holidays|Jobs in Australia|Jobs in Canada|Jobs in London|Jobs in New Zealand|Jobs in UK|Jobs in USA|Jobs online South Africa|Computer Literacy Training|London Hotels|2KO International|2KO South Africa|Make Money|MCSE Training South Africa|MCSE Online Training UK|Online Cisco Training UK|Online Computer Courses|Project Management|Property UK|Private Schools|Six Sigma|2KO Tours|Used Cars South Africa|Weight Loss Diet
|
|
