Podium - Definition and Overview

A podium is a platform that is used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. In architecture a building can rest on a large podium. Podiums can also be used to raise people, for instance the conductor of an orchestra stands on a podium as do many public speakers.

One common type of podium is that used to honour medallists in sporting events such as the Olympics. In the Olympics a three level podium is used, the highest level in the centre hold's the gold medallist, to their right is a somewhat lower one for the silver medallist. To the left of the gold medallist is an even lower platform for the bronze medallist. Some sports, most notably rowing shun podiums, and the symbolism they represent.