The design, which was later printed in copper-colour, was described by Gyzis in a letter dated March 20, 1896, to Ourania Nazou with the following text:

„The upper half of the Certificate depicts the ruins of the Parthenon over which the Greek flag is flying. Encircling the Parthenon is a torch lit procession of which only the lights and smoke can be discerned. Behind the ruins, a great Phoenix is presented rising up and dispersing the dense smoke. To the right of the picture in the foreground, the Winged Victory, restored to a beautiful and living statue and holding an olive branch, announces her message to   the female figure of Greece, who is sitting opposite her [...]. Between Greece and the Winged Victory, a relief depicts the Olympic Games.“

Underneath the relief one can read the text: “International Olympic Games”. Below this text the name of the winner and the event which he won are filled in.  The diploma (size: 49 x 71 cm) is signed both by Crown prince Constantine as President of the Organizing Committee and Timoleon  J. Philemon, Secretary-General of the Council of Twelve.   The name of the artist can be found in the left corner below.