Paris 2024 Olympic medals, designed by luxury jeweler Chaumet and embedded with pieces of the Eiffel Tower, are facing unexpected backlash as athletes report signs of tarnishing and damage.
Reports by The BBC indicates that a total of 220 replacement requests—equivalent to four percent of the total medals awarded, have been submitted to the French Mint (Monnaie de Paris), which has begun issuing replacements.
Recall that British diver Yasmin Harper, who won Team GB’s first medal at the Games, was among those to notice flaws in her bronze from the women’s 3m synchronised springboard event. She later confirmed seeing “small bits of tarnishing” on her medal, raising concerns about the durability of the prized awards.
Also, American skateboarder Nyjah Huston drew attention to the issue when he posted a video showing his bronze medal from the men’s street skateboarding event appearing chipped and discolored. His criticism added to the growing scrutiny of the medals’ craftsmanship.
Consequently, Paris 2024 organisers have assured athletes that any defective medals will be replaced, with the French Mint confirming that the replacement process is ongoing. While the medals were designed to be a unique tribute to France’s cultural heritage, the unexpected wear and tear have sparked debate over whether aesthetics came at the cost of durability.
