The Paris 2024 Olympic Games promised to be a landmark event, but they have been plagued by controversy, even months after their conclusion. The medals distributed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are under fire for their poor quality, with many athletes joking that their condition resembles relics from the 1924 Paris Olympics—the last time the French capital hosted the Games.
Rust stains, surface wear, and a dull sheen that contrasts with the metal's original lustre have appeared after only a few months. Olympic medals are much more than just pieces of metal; they symbolise the highest sporting achievement. The production of these medals should involve the finest craftsmanship and the best materials, something the IOC seems to have overlooked. In France, this issue has almost become a matter of national pride. The progressive deterioration of the medals won at the Paris Olympics has shocked the French, a traditionally patriotic nation, who feel the fault in manufacturing the medals reflects poorly on their country.
The crisis has forced the IOC to issue a statement announcing that the faulty medals will be replaced. According to La Lettre, more than 100 athletes have contacted the IOC to return their medals for various reasons. The Organising Committee of the Paris Games is working closely with the Paris Mint to assess the complaints about the medals and understand the cause of their deterioration. "The defective medals will be systematically replaced and identically engraved by...
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Author: Gustavo Muñana