− | A '''podium''' (plural podia) is a [[platform]] that is used to raise something to a short distance above its [[surroundings]]. It derives from the [[Greek]] πόδι (foot). In [[architecture]] a building can rest on a large podium. Podia can also be used to raise people, for instance the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conducting conductor] of an [[orchestra]] stands on a podium as do many public speakers. Podium has also come to mean the object a speaker stands behind and sets papers or [[books]] upon even when it is at floor level, though the [[traditional]] term for that item is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectern lectern]. The terms are not identical; one typically stands on a podium, but one typically stands behind a lectern. | + | A '''podium''' (plural podia) is a [[platform]] that is used to raise something to a short distance above its [[surroundings]]. It derives from the [[Greek]] πόδι (foot). In [[architecture]] a building can rest on a large podium. Podia can also be used to raise people, for instance the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conducting conductor] of an [[orchestra]] stands on a podium as do many public speakers. Podium has also come to mean the object a speaker stands behind and sets papers or [[books]] upon even when it is at floor level, though the [[traditional]] term for that item is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectern lectern]. The terms are not identical; one typically stands on a podium, but one typically stands behind a lectern. |
− | In sports, a type of podium is used to honor the top three [[competitors]] in [[events]] such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games Olympics]. In the Olympics a three level podium is used, the highest level in the centre holds the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_medalist gold medalist], to their right is a somewhat lower one for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_medalist silver medalist]. To the left of the gold medalist is an even lower platform for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_medalist bronze medalist]. In many sports, results in the top three of a [[competition]] are often referred to as podiums, or podium finishes. In some individual sports, "podiums" is an official [[statistic]], referring to the number of top three results an [[athlete]] has achieved over the course of a season or [[career]]. | + | In sports, a type of podium is used to honor the top three [[competitors]] in [[events]] such as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games Olympics]. In the Olympics a three level podium is used, the highest level in the centre holds the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_medalist gold medalist], to their right is a somewhat lower one for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_medalist silver medalist]. To the left of the gold medalist is an even lower platform for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_medalist bronze medalist]. In many sports, results in the top three of a [[competition]] are often referred to as podiums, or podium finishes. In some individual sports, "podiums" is an official [[statistic]], referring to the number of top three results an [[athlete]] has achieved over the course of a season or [[career]]. |