From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals

[Kristian Calhoun]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Some more food for thought: Why not eliminate winning medals in addition to participation medals? What reasons for eliminating participation medals don't apply to winner medals, and why? (I'm not trying to "trick" people or anything or imply anything, I'm just posing ideas)

FIRST has already changed the design of the Regional Champion, Finalist, and Chairman's Award medals in addition to shrinking the sizes of certain trophies (the subject of one of Bill's blog entries last year). My conjecture is that FIRST has already "cut costs" with respect to the competition's "winners" and is now looking to extend their savings to other areas of the program (AKA the rest of the participants).