Gold medals awarded at the Olympics and other international competitions are not typically made entirely of gold. Instead, they are made mostly of silver and then plated with a thin layer of gold. The exact composition of the medals can vary depending on the specific competition and the rules governing it. For example, the gold medals awarded at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were made from 6 grams of gold, 550 grams of silver, and 60 grams of copper. The International Olympic Committee sets strict standards for the composition and design of medals, ensuring that they are of high quality and represent the values of the Olympic movement.