Low-Quality Medals Lead to Mass Return by Paris 2024 Olympians
There have been multiple reports of Paris 2024 Olympic medals deteriorating shortly after being awarded. Athletes have observed issues such as chipping, discoloration, and tarnishing. Notable instances include:
- Nyjah Huston: The American skateboarder shared that his bronze medal began chipping and losing its luster just a week after the event. He noted that exposure to sweat and handling by friends seemed to accelerate the deterioration.
- Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle: Irish rowers who secured bronze in the Men’s Double Sculls reported significant degradation of their medals. Doyle’s medal deteriorated to the point where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requested its return for examination.
- Yohann Ndoye-Brouard and Clement Secchi: French swimmers who earned bronze in the 4×100-meter medley relay shared images of their medals, which appeared tarnished and aged, with one athlete comparing it to a relic from 1924.
In response to these concerns, Paris 2024 organizers acknowledged the issues and are collaborating with the Monnaie de Paris, responsible for medal production and quality control, to investigate and address the problems. They have offered to replace any damaged medals to ensure athletes receive awards of the intended quality.
