The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Monday that damaged medals from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will be replaced with identical models, following complaints from athletes about the deterioration of their awards.
In a statement to AFP, the IOC said, “The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris (the French state mint), the institution responsible for the manufacture and quality control of the medals, to assess any complaints about the medals and to understand the circumstances and cause of any damage.”
The IOC assured that defective medals would be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris and engraved identically. The replacement process is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Monnaie de Paris Responds
A spokesperson for the Monnaie de Paris disputed the term “defective,” clarifying that medals reported as “damaged” since August had already been replaced.
“We have replaced all the damaged medals since August and will continue to do so in the same professional manner as before,” the spokesperson told AFP, adding that the replacement process was ongoing and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Athlete Complaints and Social Media Reactions
Reports from French media outlet La Lettre indicated that over 100 medals had been returned by dissatisfied athletes. Among the complaints were concerns about chipping and visible damage to the medals’ surfaces.
American skateboarder Nyjah Huston, who won bronze in the street skateboarding competition on July 29, took to social media to highlight the issue.
Sharing an image of his medal, Huston commented, “These Olympic medals look great when they’re brand new, but after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a little bit and then letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they’re apparently not as high quality as you would think. It’s looking rough. Even the front. It’s starting to chip off a little.”
Manufacturing Challenges
The Paris 2024 medals were designed by luxury jewellery and watch brand Chaumet, part of the LVMH conglomerate, and produced by the Monnaie de Paris. Each medal includes a small piece of the Eiffel Tower, sourced from stocks belonging to the monument’s operating company.
La Lettre reported that manufacturing challenges may have contributed to the issues. New regulations reportedly banned a key varnish component previously used in medal production, requiring it to be replaced at short notice. This change may have compromised the medals’ durability.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, the IOC and Monnaie de Paris are committed to resolving the issue. The Monnaie de Paris spokesperson assured that the replacement medals would meet the high standards expected by athletes and the public.
The incident has sparked conversations about the importance of maintaining the quality and prestige of Olympic medals, particularly as they serve as enduring symbols of athletic achievement.
With replacements already underway and the Paris 2024 Organising Committee taking proactive measures, the IOC aims to ensure that every Olympian treasures their medal as a lasting memento of their accomplishments on the world stage.
