Over 100 Olympic Athletes ‘Return Their Paris 2024 Medals’ Due to Quality Issues

More than 100 athletes have reportedly returned their Olympic medals after the Paris 2024 Games, citing that the medals were damaged and rusted.

The issue has led to significant dissatisfaction, with athletes returning the medals just five months after receiving them.

The Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris), responsible for producing the medals, has responded to the situation by dismissing three senior officials: the industrial director, production director, and head of quality, health, safety, and environment.

This move comes in the wake of the criticism surrounding the quality of the medals, with the affected athletes seeking explanations and corrective measures.

The issue surrounding the Olympic medals appears to be linked to the use of substandard varnish, which has caused the medals to deteriorate quickly. This was confirmed by complaints from several athletes who received the medals.

American skateboarder Nyjah Houston and French swimmer Maxime Grusset, both bronze medalists at the Paris 2024 Games, were among the first to speak out, sharing their concerns as their medals cracked and peeled off just two weeks after the competition.

Additionally, two French Olympians, Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, who won bronze in the 4×100-meter medley relay, also took to social media to show the poor condition of their medals.

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.