Several athletes from the Paris 2024 Games have returned their Olympic medals due to quality issues. Athletes, including Nyjah Huston and Viktor Axelsen, criticized the medals for losing their shine and becoming damaged quickly. Produced by the Monnaie de Paris, the medals‘ varnish failed after changes in the production process. Over 100 athletes reported dissatisfaction, leading to promises from the International Olympic Committee to replace the defective awards and address the concerns.

Credits: NBC News

Over 100 Paris 2024 Athletes Return Medals Amid Quality Concerns

Many athletes dream of the honor of winning an Olympic medal, but a surprising number of competitors from the Paris 2024 Games have reportedly returned their awards. After the Summer Games, photos circulated showing the medals losing their shine just days after being handed out, prompting criticism and disappointment from some athletes.

Nyjah Huston Shares Disappointment Over Worn Appearance of His Olympic Bronze Medal

Nyjah Huston, a Team USA skateboarder, was among those who shared the sorry state of his bronze medal. In a photo posted to social media, he described its worn appearance, commenting that it “looked like it went to war and back.” Huston later explained in an Instagram story that the medals initially look great, but after being worn, they begin to lose their luster. “After letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a bit and letting friends wear it over the weekend, it’s not as high quality as you’d think,” he said, noting that even the front of his medal was starting to chip off.

Viktor Axelsen Criticizes Paris 2024 Gold Medal, Compares it to Tokyo 2020 Version

Danish badminton star Viktor Axelsen also expressed dissatisfaction with his Paris 2024 gold medal, comparing it unfavorably to the gold he won at the Tokyo 2020 Games. His comments reflected the growing frustration among athletes over the appearance and quality of the medals.

Over 100 Athletes Return Paris 2024 Medals Over Quality Issues, Report Claims

According to a French publication, La Lettre, over 100 athletes have returned their medals due to quality concerns. The medals, produced by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), were designed with a piece of the Eiffel Tower embedded in them. However, this unique feature has not been enough to make up for the poor aesthetic quality of the medals.

Credits: NDTV

New Coating Process for Paris 2024 Medals Leads to Damage and Athlete Complaints

The issue stems from a change in the production process after the banning of the toxic chemical chromium trioxide, which had been used in the coating process. In its place, a new varnish was applied, but the result was aesthetically unsatisfactory. As a result, the medals became easily damaged, leading to complaints from athletes who had spent years preparing for the prestigious honor.

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Top Athletes Share Images of Damaged Medals, Sparking Disappointment

Several high-profile athletes, including French swimmers Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, shared images of their medals showing visible signs of wear. Secchi’s gold medal was described as having a texture resembling “crocodile skin,” while Ndoye-Brouard’s bronze medal was visibly scratched. Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade also expressed disappointment, saying that the medals scratched too easily, preventing her from wearing them without worry.

Olympic Gold Medals Tarnish Due to Coating Issues, Athletes Disappointed

The Olympic gold medals, in particular, surprised many with their composition. While they are labeled as “gold,” they are primarily made of silver with a thin coating of gold, making the varnish crucial to their overall appearance. With the new coating’s failure, athletes were left with tarnished medals.

In response to the controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) promised to replace any damaged medals. The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris to investigate the issues and ensure that future medals meet the high standards expected of the Olympic Games. Defective medals will be replaced, and the process is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Credits: Getty Images

While the quality of the medals has caused a stir, it serves as a reminder that even the smallest details—such as the shine of a medal—can overshadow the broader accomplishments of the athletes and the Games themselves.