Paris 2024 Olympics To Award Athletes With A Slice Of Eiffel Tower And More

Imagine standing on the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics, not only basking in the glory of your achievement but also holding a piece of Parisian history. This year, athletes will receive medals embedded with iron from the iconic Eiffel Tower, adding a unique twist to their triumphs.

In an innovative move, each gold, silver, and bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics features an 18-gram hexagonal piece of iron taken from the Eiffel Tower. Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower is a global symbol of France, making this integration a brilliant homage to the host city. French jewellery house Chaumet designed the medals, ensuring they not only symbolize victory but also embody a rich cultural heritage.

The concept behind these distinctive medals was explained by Joachim Roncin, head of design at the Paris Games organizing committee: "We realized that there's one symbol known across the world, which is the Eiffel Tower. We thought, 'What if we could get a bit of the Eiffel Tower to integrate into the medal?'" This vision materialized with the collaboration of the Eiffel Tower Operating Co., bringing a tangible piece of French history to the global stage.

Design and Craftsmanship

The medals feature a hexagonal iron piece in the center, held by six metal appendages. The hexagonal shape pays tribute to France, often referred to as "L'hexagone" due to its shape. Each piece is engraved with "Paris 2024," the Olympic torch, and the five Olympic rings, encapsulating the essence of the event. The reverse side of the medals showcases Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, set against the backdrop of the Panathenaic Stadium, Acropolis, and Eiffel Tower.

For Paralympic medals, there is a distinct design featuring an image of the Eiffel Tower and "Paris" and "2024" inscribed in Braille. This honours Louis Braille's legacy and ensures inclusivity in celebrating achievements.

Production Details

Approximately 5,084 medals have been prepared for both Games—around 2,600 for the Olympics and 2,400 for Paralympics. The iron pieces used in these medals were sourced from girders and other sections replaced during renovations of the Eiffel Tower. These pieces were stripped of their brown paint to reveal their original metallic glory.

The tradition of awarding medals dates back to 1896's first modern Olympics. However, incorporating a famous monument like this is unprecedented. "Having a gold medal is already something incredible. But we wanted to add this French touch and we thought that the Eiffel Tower would be this cherry on top," Roncin remarked. "Having a piece of it is a piece of history."

A Piece of Paris

As athletes strive for excellence at Paris 2024 Olympics, they will carry home more than just medals—they'll have fragments of Paris itself. Winners will take home not just symbols of victory but tangible connections to Paris's rich history and reminders of their remarkable achievements in this iconic city.

The Paris 2024 Olympics meld athletic prowess with cultural heritage seamlessly. Every victory becomes part of history as athletes hold pieces embedded with iron from one of France's most famous landmarks.