Every once in a while, when it’s not making more racing rules, the FIM gets a bit spendy and hands out a gold medal to someone, or some organization, that’s done a lot of good for motorcycling. And now, it’s handed out one of those FIM gold medals to helmet-maker Arai.
The medal awards are very rare to start with; only 23 people have been given the gold medal. On top of that, it’s the first-ever time the FIM has handed out a gold medal to a manufacturer of safety equipment. So why does Arai get the gold? According to the press release (below), it’s because of “achievement in contributions to the safety of many riders and numerous advancements to motorcycle sports over many years.”
Press release
Arai Helmet Awarded First-Ever FIM Gold Medal as a Maker of Safety Equipment for Motorcycle Riders
Mr. Michio Arai was awarded the Nicolas Rodil del Valle Gold Medal and praised for meritorious service by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM; English: International Motorcycling Federation) as president and representative of Arai Helmet, Ltd. a manufacturer of rider helmets based in Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
The FIM is an international organization standing as the head of supervising motorcycle sports in more than 80 countries around the world. Based in Switzerland, the FIM is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as well. This special gold medal, first presented in 1983, was awarded to persons with significant contributions to 2-wheel racing activities and management of businesses and was awarded only in the case where there was a qualified person. The FIM awarded Mr. Arai this medal for “achievement in contributions to the safety of many riders and numerous advancements to motorcycle sports over many years”. Furthermore, while Mr. Arai is the 23rd person awarded this gold medal, he is the first ever awarded as a maker of rider safety equipment.
Understanding the reason for this award, Arai Helmet continues to make helmets without compromise for the sake of rider protection since the company’s founding as the first motorcycle helmet manufacturer in Japan. It’s not an exaggeration to say these contributions are recognized around the world by the granting of this award. Mr. Arai received the award directly from the FIM on November 30th in Monte Carlo, Monaco at the 2019 FIM Awards Ceremony General Meeting.
About Arai Helmet
Founded as a helmet maker on October 13th, 1950, Arai Helmet was the first manufacturer of 2-wheel helmets in Japan. As for the high level of protection for motorcycles, touring riders of course needed it and Arai Helmet also received overwhelming endorsement from racers using the helmet in severe conditions. Mr. Michio Arai was born in 1938 in Tokyo and took over the Arai family business in 1986 from his father, Mr. Hirotake Arai.
