It’s hard to believe that the 2024 Paris Games were just a short while ago. Athletes from all corners of the globe came together to deliver an unforgettable spectacle that captivated millions, if not billions, of viewers.
The elite competitors left with a cherished keepsake from their time in Paris: an Olympic medal. These medals—gold, silver, and bronze—have been integral to the Olympic legacy for centuries, but this year brought an unexpected twist.
French swimmers Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard shared photos of their bronze medals, which they proudly took home after winning the 4×100 m medley relay.
Yohann Ndoye-Brouard voiced his disappointment over how quickly his Olympic medal from the 2024 Paris Games began to fade. He likened its appearance to ‘crocodile skin,’ and his teammates joked that it could easily be mistaken for something from a century ago.
The 24-year-old swimmer captioned his photo with “Paris 1924.”
Many were taken aback by how quickly the Olympic committee distributed medals that looked like this. One person even remarked, “The ones from Paris 1924 are in better shape.”
Others expressed their disappointment with the medals’ appearance, suggesting they should be professionally cleaned and stored in airtight cases to prevent further deterioration.
On the flip side, some felt this was to be expected. One individual pointed out, “It’s just the natural process of oxidation and corrosion of bronze due to a lack of maintenance and cleaning. The color changes and texture variations from patina are normal. Stop complaining!”
Other athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympics also voiced their dissatisfaction, noting how their medals had altered in appearance since they brought them home.
Nyjah Huston, an Olympic skateboarder representing Team USA, commented, “Sure, these Olympic medals look fantastic when they’re brand new. But after resting on my skin with some sweat and letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they’re not as high quality as you might expect.”
He continued by saying, “Just take a look at that medal; it’s not in great shape. The front is even starting to chip a bit. So, I’m not sure… for Olympic medals, maybe the quality needs to be improved a bit.”
British diver Yasmin Harper mentioned that the medal was showing some signs of ‘tarnishing’. She noted, “There are a few small areas of tarnish. I think it might be due to water or something getting underneath the metal, causing it to discolor, but I can’t say for certain.”
Organizers for the Paris Olympics have stated that they are investigating these claims and will take appropriate action. In their statement, they said, “Paris 2024 is aware of a social media report from an athlete whose medal has shown damage just days after it was awarded.
“Paris 2024 is collaborating closely with the Monnaie de Paris, the organization responsible for producing and ensuring the quality of the medals, along with the National Olympic Committee of the athlete involved, to assess the medal and determine the circumstances and cause of the damage.”