Why did more than 100 athletes return their Olympic medals won in Paris?
Ethan Wilkinson, Unsplash
The Olympic Games in Paris 2024 are remembered not only for the triumphs of the athletes, but also for an unexpected scandal. More than 100 athletes reported that their medals began to deteriorate just a few months after the Games. Among the complaints were signs of cracks, stains and wear, especially noticeable on the bronze medals.
The problem was found to be related to a defective varnish used to coat the medals. The varnish previously contained a carcinogenic substance, chromium trioxide, which forced it to be replaced with a less stable alternative. The varnish failed to stand the test of time, prompting a wave of criticism against the organisers.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially apologised and said that the tainted medals will be replaced. The medals' manufacturer, the Paris Mint, has already started preparations to make new copies and the replacement process should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Medal manufacturers and designers have started to shift responsibility to each other. Chaumet, an LVMH company responsible for the design, said it was not responsible for the manufacturing process. The Paris Mint, in turn, called the medals "damaged" rather than "defective".
Olympic medals symbolise the highest achievements of athletes and remain their ultimate trophy. A scandal over their quality threatens the reputation of the IOC, Paris as organiser of the Games and could affect sponsorship contracts.
