More than 100 disgruntled athletes have returned their Olympic medals just five months after the Paris 2024 Games because they are damaged and rusted.
According to La Lettre, the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris), which produced the medals, has reportedly dismissed three senior officials: the industrial director, production director, and head of quality, health, safety, and environment.
The issue is said to stem from the use of substandard varnish, which has led to the medals’ rapid deterioration.
Earlier, American skateboarder Nyjah Houston and French swimmer Maxime Grusset, both bronze medalists at Paris-2024, complained about the medals’ low quality. Their medals cracked and peeled off just two weeks after the competition.
Two French Olympians, Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard also took to social media to reveal the state of their own bronze medals which they won together in the 4×100-metre medley relay.
Houston shared an image of the medal he won just 10 days after his event at last year’s Games. He said: ”Alright, so 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,’ he said.
‘I mean, look at that thing. It’s looking rough. Even the front. It’s starting to chip off a little. So yeah, I don’t know, Olympic medals, you maybe gotta step up the quality a little bit.’The Olympic Games Paris 2024 took place from July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 were held from August 28 to September 8.
