Paris Games Organizers to Replace Deteriorating Medals Amid Athlete Complaints
The French mint is set to replace over 100 medals from the Paris 2024 Games after athletes reported rapid deterioration, sharing unflattering images online. The Monnaie de Paris acknowledges the issue and will replace all damaged medals in early 2025, ensuring replacements mirror the originals.
The Paris Games organizers have announced plans to replace several medals from the upcoming 2024 Olympics and Paralympics after reports of deterioration by athletes. The French mint, Monnaie de Paris, indicated to The Associated Press that complaints began surfacing shortly after the initial medals were distributed. Athletes, including American skateboarder Nyjah Huston, shared images of their damaged medals on social media, describing them in unflattering terms.
In total, the Monnaie de Paris has produced 5,084 medals for the events. The extent of the destruction is not entirely clear, as neither the French Olympic Committee nor the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provided specific numbers in response to inquiries. However, French media outlet La Lettre estimated over 100 medals have been returned due to these issues.
The design of the medals, carried out by the Parisian jeweler Chaumet, incorporates a polished piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower. Despite their artistic significance and representation of French heritage, athletes such as swimmers Yohann Ndoye-Brouard and Clément Secchi have criticized their aesthetic quality, with Ndoye-Brouard likening the appearance to that of ‘crocodile skin.’ The IOC confirmed that the Monnaie de Paris is addressing the situation and will replace all damaged medals upon request during the first quarter of 2025, ensuring that replacements are engineered to emulate the originals.
The problematic medals contain iron segments weighing 18 grams, sourced from renovations of the Eiffel Tower stored for preservation. As the situation unfolds, hope remains that these replacements will restore the integrity of the medals associated with such a prestigious event.
The situation surrounding the Paris Games medals has brought to light concerns regarding the quality and durability of Olympic awards. Designed by Chaumet, the medals intend to signify both prestige and French cultural heritage. However, the rapid deterioration observed by several athletes raises questions about the materials and processes utilized in the minting. This incident emphasizes the importance of quality in commemorative items, particularly those emblematic of significant achievements like the Olympics.
In summary, the Paris Games organizers, in collaboration with the French mint, are actively addressing the concerns surrounding the quality of medals to be awarded at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. The swift response to replace damaged medals reflects a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Games. Future replacements are set to begin in early 2025, ensuring that athletes receive awards befitting their accomplishments.
Original Source: www.espn.com
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