Royal purple for Olympic victory ceremonies

LONDON – Forget gold, silver and bronze. The dominant color at the Olympic podium ceremonies is going to be purple.

Olympic authorities revealed the elements Friday of the 805 ceremonies that will take place in more than 30 venues of the London Olympics and released photographs of the costumes that will be worn by the presenters.

The flower and medal bearers will be male, a first in Olympic history.

Students from the Royal College of Art designed the attire. They say they were inspired by Greek mythology and British heritage.

Some 4,400 floral bouquets will be presented to the athletes, containing roses, mint, rosemary, English lavender and wheat. Designer Jane Packer says they were intended as an eclectic fragrant mix.

All of the flowers and herbs will be 100 percent British grown.