In the world of elite-level athletic coaching, it helps to have a tricky last name: Krzyzewski, Karolyi, Bollettieri. But now there's new hope for less memorably monikered world-class coaches. Premiering at this summer's Beijing games is a medal that will be presented to the personal coaches of medal-winning U.S. Olympic/Paralympic athletes. Creating yet another reason to dread a fourth-place finish, the Order of Ikkos medallion is named for Ikkos of Tarentum (note his unusual name!), the first recorded Olympic coach in ancient Greece and himself a champion pentathlete (back in 444 B.C.).

For the new medal's design, the United States Olympic Committee selected the work of Jamie Franki, who also designed the reverse of the 2005 American Bison Nickel and the face of the Jefferson 1800 Nickel in 2006. A former master designer in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program, Franki is now an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he coordinates the Illustration Program. "The elements of the design were chosen and placed to create an interlocked balance as well as a circular eye movement -- a tribute to the joined circles in the famed Olympic Rings," notes Franki, who chose the symbol of the Olympic torch (complete with Statue of Liberty-style flame) for its relevance to all sports. His design also includes 50 stars (one for each state), the U.S. Olympic Team logo, and a Greek-flavored typeface. While the torch design is meant to commemorate the passing of thanks and recognition from athlete to coach, we can't help but hear in our heads a shrill, coach-like voice instructing, "No, hold it this way!"