The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement, created by the International Olympic Committee in May 1975 as a successor to the Olympic Certificate previously awarded. The Olympic Order originally had three grades (gold, silver and bronze), although the bronze grade was no longer awarded after 1984. The Olympic Order is awarded to individuals for particularly distinguished contribution to the Olympic Movement; there is a tradition that the chief organizer(s) of a particular Olympic Games would be awarded the Olympic Order in Gold at the Games' closing ceremony.
The insignia of the Olympic Order is in the form of a collar (or chain), in gold, silver or bronze according to grade; the front of the chain features the five rings of the Olympic Movement, flanked on each side by an emblem of kotinos (olive branch).
On everyday occasions a small lapel badge, in the form of the five rings in gold, silver and bronze according to grade, may be worn instead.
Nadia Com%C4%83neci is the only athlete so far who was awarded with the Olympic Order twice (in 1984 and 2004). In addition she was the youngest recipient ever.
