The olive tree is considered a symbol of peace , fertility , wisdom , prosperity ,victory and the Olympic ideals . The ancient Greeks and especially the Athenians worshiped the olive tree, as it was the sacred tree of their city and of goddess Athena . The olive wreath also known as kotinos was the prize for the winner at the ancient Olympic Games it was an olive branch , in the form of a circle .According to Pausanias , it was introduced by Heracles as a prize for the running race winner , that was held in honor of his father ,  Zeus .the prize for the winner at the ancient Olympic Games it was an olive branch , in the form of a circle .  The sculpture is handmade of solid brass, plated in gold solution 24 carats and mounted on an acrylic base (plexiglass).