In a shocking revelation that has left athletes and Olympic officials stunned, a large number of medals awarded at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games are already severely deteriorating, with many Olympians taking to social media to share pictures of their tarnished prizes. The French mint, Monnaie de Paris, has acknowledged the widespread quality issues and committed to replacing the defective medals.
The extent of the deterioration varies, but numerous athletes have reported discoloration, flaking, and even crumbling of their gold, silver, and bronze medals, some describing them as resembling “crocodile skin” or appearing a century old. American skateboarder Nyjah Huston was one of the first to sound the alarm, posting a video of his rapidly degrading bronze medal shortly after the Games concluded last summer.
Iconic Eiffel Tower Pieces Embedded in Medals
The medals, designed by Parisian jewelry house Chaumet, were meant to serve as enduring symbols of the athletes’ achievements. Each one featured a polished chunk of iron extracted from the Eiffel Tower during recent renovations, lending them added significance as lasting emblems of Paris and the 2024 Games.
We wanted the medals to carry a piece of Paris, of our history, in the hands of the world’s greatest athletes. It’s deeply disheartening to see them degrade so quickly.
– Joachim Roncin, Head of Design at Paris 2024
French Mint Launches Investigation and Replacement Program
While the Monnaie de Paris has not disclosed the exact number of damaged medals, reports suggest well over 100 have been returned. The mint has launched an internal investigation to understand the root causes and has reworked its varnishing process in an attempt to rectify the issue.
- Affected athletes can request a replacement medal starting in early 2025
- New medals will be produced with an optimized protective coating
- Original medal engravings and customization will be fully recreated
Olympians Express Disappointment and Frustration
For the athletes who poured their hearts into earning their spot on the podium, the medal fiasco has been a bitter pill to swallow. Many have expressed a mix of frustration, sadness, and disbelief that their cherished mementos could deteriorate so rapidly.
You train your whole life for this one shining moment, and to have your medal fall apart in your hands is just heartbreaking. These need to be as enduring and unbreakable as an Olympian’s spirit.
– Clément Secchi, French Swimmer and Silver Medalist
As the French mint works to address the medal crisis and provide replacements to affected athletes, many are left wondering how such a widespread quality control failure could have occurred on the world’s largest sporting stage. With Paris 2024 still fresh in the history books, organizers are undoubtedly hoping this unfortunate epilogue won’t tarnish the legacy of an otherwise triumphant Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has pledged its support in ensuring every athlete receives a replacement medal that honors their achievement and stands the test of time. As Olympians await their new prizes, the incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most sacred symbols of athletic glory are not immune to imperfection.
