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Comment by K21Nova

During the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics by winning any battleground on any level you had a chance to receive a Gold Medallion via the in-game mail. The Gold Medallion in fact summons (spell) a mini-pet called the Spirit of Competition (picture) in the form of a Chinese dragon.

By participating in a battleground game on any battleground, on any level, you would, during that time, always receive a Competitor's Tabard, whether you won or lost.

You can find more information about the ~~Spirit of Competition event~~ (deprecated url) on the European World of Warcraft info pages.

Talking to a commoner during the Olympics in any of the capital cities gave you further information on how to gain these items.

Every two years the Spirits of Competition grow especially fervent... and now is that time! We wear this tabard into the Battlegrounds to honor them, seeking to defeat our enemies and earn their favor.

Q: How do I earn a Competitor's Tabard?
A: You need only face our rivals in any of the Battlegrounds. Win or lose, if you stay for the duration of the battle, you will be mailed a Competitor's Tabard.

Q: How can I gain the favor of a Spirit of Competition?
A: You must defeat our rivals in any of the Battlegrounds. With every victory, there is a chance that a Gold Medallion will be mailed to you.

You got an in-game mail when you received one of these prizes.

Competitor's Tabard
You fought bravely in a battleground and impressed the Spirits of Competition... Well done! As a reward, you have been gifted with this mark of favor; a Competitor's Tabard. Wear it proudly.

Gold Medallion
You have honored the Spirits of Competition with your fervor in the face of the enemy. Congratulations! With this Gold Medallion, they will be proud to be seen at your side.

There is also a different version of the dragon mini-pet, called the Essence of Competition. You can summon (spell) it by using an item called the Competitor's Souvenir, which you were able to get by talking to the Battleground Enthusiast in either Ironforge or Orgrimmar, and giving her a secret code.

The Battleground Enthusiast in Ironforge was a female dwarf called Gilbarta Grandhammer, and she was located in the Hall of Arms in the Military Ward. The Battleground Enthusiast in Orgrimmar was a female orc called Muja, and she was located in the Hall of the Brave in the Valley of Honor.

You know the Spirits of Competition, yes?

Every two years they draw close to the mortal realm. During such times, members of both the Alliance and Horde wear Competitor's Tabards into the Battlegrounds to honor the spirits, seeking to defeat one another and earn their favor.

I stockpile souvenirs from such turbulent times. If you've learned the proper word, I might be convinced to part with one...

I would like to enter the secret code to receive my Competitor's Souvenir.

While the Essence of Competition could be found next to the Battleground Enthusiasts, it was never released in Europe or the US as a mini-pet for players. (source)

This pet will not be released on US and EU servers. The NPCs found on those servers to redeem the code are a bug.

Throughout each day of the event in China, the code is mailed to 500 random players. Only players who have achieved various in-game milestones during the event are eligible for a chance to receive the code. Some milestones include having an Arena rating of 1650+, increasing reputation for certain Outland factions from less than revered to exalted, or raising a crafting profession from 350 or less to 375.

Hints:

Any battleground which you participate in, whether won or lost, will award you with the tabard.
Any battleground which you won may award you with the gold medallion.
You don't need to win 3 (or more) games in a row to get the gold medallion.
You don't need to be #1 in kills or healing etc. to get the gold medallion.
You don't need to be wearing the tabard to get the gold medallion.
The mini-pet seems to be of the same level as the player who acquired it.

Comment by Santykins

Thanks for the info K21Nova,
There are only two things that I am not sure of.

How high is the "Drop-Rate" on the Gold Medallion?

Furthermore

The mini-pet seems to be of the same level as the player who acquired it.

Is a correct observation and, like most Holiday non-combat pets the Essence of Competition tracks the player's level from 1-70.

Comment by 59676

Last night I went through 17 BG's, varying among EotS, AV, AB and WG. I won 8 of them. I did not get the pet. I got the tabard first shot. Two of the people I know got the pet on the first win. Two people got it 2nd win. I know of at least 3 people who had to win 4 or 5 times to get the pet.

4+ hours of BG's and no pet for me.

Sometimes I really hate WoW.

Comment by Murrdurr

Got gold medal first BG at lvl17 heh, friend said he has gone through about 20 BGs with 7 won and still no gold medal

Comment by 131361

its not a chinese dragon it doesn't have 5 claws

Comment by Allakhazam

The caption for the picture above says WSG, but I got both the tabard and the pet after winning an AV game. AV was also the daily PVP BG so possibly you get this from winning the daily PVP BG, or just winning a BG in general.

Comment by Allakhazam

The Spirit of Competition is given at random when a team has won any of the BG's. The Tabard is given weather you loose or win. So if you are wanting the pet, you will need to win any BG before the end of the event. It is not guaranteed, it is a chance to get it.

Edited, Aug 12th 2008 1:05pm by kittybum

Comment by Allakhazam

I recieved two letters from "Spirit of Competition" after winning a WarSong Gulch BattleGround. One contained a Spirit of Competition Tabard, and the other contained a Gold Medal, which summons the Spirit of Competition.

Comment by Averlynne

Just saw someone in Dalaran with one of these on Atiesh WOTLK Classic.

View in 3D Links

Spirit of Competition

This NPC can be found in Shattrath City (18), Netherstorm (4), Thunder Bluff (4), Northern Barrens (3), Northern Stranglethorn (3), Orgrimmar (3), Tanaris (3), Undercity (3), Azuremyst Isle (2), Darnassus (2), The Exodar (2), Dalaran , Eversong Woods , Ironforge , Silvermoon City , and Winterspring .

Spirit of Competition

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