FIFA 2010 World Cup: The World Cup Trophy
The World Cup is a gold trophy that is bestowed to the winning team of the FIFA World Cup. Since the start of the World Cup in 1930, there have been two trophies that have been the symbol of triumph for the winning countries. The FIFA World Cup Trophy has been presented to winning teams from 1974 to the present day and the Jules Rimet Trophy was the official trophy from 1930 - 1970.
The original trophy, which was named Victory, but later on it was renamed Jules Rimet in honour of the former FIFA president, this trophy was made of lapis lazuli and gold plated sterling silver and delineated the image of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike.
The FIFA World Cup trophy depicts two human figures holding up the Earth, it is made of 18 carat gold with a malachite base. The current holder of the trophy at this time is Italy, winners of the 2006 World Cup.
The prize for winning the Football World Cup was the Jules Rimet Trophy. Originally it was called "Victory". It was officially renamed in 1946 to honour Jules Rimet the FIFA President who in 1929 passed a vote to initiate the competition.
The Jules Rimet trophy was designed by Abel Lafleur and was made of solid gold on a blue base of lapis lazuli; it was 35 centimetres high and weighed exactly 3.8 kilograms. It constituted of an octagonal cup, which was supported by a winged figure portraying Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory.
The first FIFA World Cup was in Uruguay and the cup was taken there on the 21st June 1930. The first team to be awarded the Jules Rimet trophy was Uruguay, who were the winners of the 1930 World Cup.
During World War II, the trophy was with Italy. Ottorino Barassi, the president of FIGC and the Italian vice-president of FIFA, transported the trophy from a bank in Rome in secrecy and hid it in a box under his bed to prevent the n***s from ever taking it.
On 20 March 1966, just four months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the trophy was sadly stolen in an exhibition at Westminster Central Hall and miraculously the trophy was found by dog named Pickles after a week covered in newspapers in South London.
After this a secret replica of the trophy was manufactured as a security measure to be used in celebrations. The replica was also used in numerous occasions until 1970. The replica was later sold in auction for £254,500, when it was purchased by FIFA.
Having such a high auction price led to rumours that this was the authentic trophy and not the replica. Though FIFA tested the cup and confirmed that it was a replica. The replica is at display at the English National Football Museum in Preston.
Brazil won the tournament in 1970; it was put on display in Rio de Janeiro at the national Football Confederation headquarters.
On 19 December 1983, the wooden rear of the cabinet containing the trophy was pried open with a crowbar and the cup was stolen. Four men were tried and convicted for the crime. The trophy to this day remains un-recovered.
The Confederation made a replica of their which was presented to the Brazilian president in 1984.
The new trophy made for the 1974 World Cup is the FIFA World Cup trophy still used is 36.5 centimetres tall has a base of malachite 13 centimetres in diameter and is made of 5 kg of 18 carat gold. Produced by Bertoni, Milano, it depicts two human figures holding up the Earth and weighs 6.175 kg.
The trophy has the visible engravings "FIFA World Cup" at its base. The name of the country whose team wins the tournament is engraved in the bottom side of the trophy.
It is not known if and when the entire base is filled and whether FIFA will relinquish the trophy. However this will not occur sooner than the 2038 World Cup.
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