• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Olympic Medals From Paris Games Already Need to Be Replaced, IOC Says

The French mint has already started replacing Olympic medals just months after they were awarded during the summer.

Jul 29, 2024; Paris, France; Jagger Eaton of the United States, Yuto Horigome of Japan, and Nyjah Huston of the United States pose for a photo on the podium after the men’s street finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at La Concorde 3.
Jack Gruber-Imagn Images

The Paris Olympics were days from ending, and U.S. skateboarder Nyjah Huston was already having issues with his bronze medal. 

On Aug. 9, two days before the Games came to a formal close, the 30-year-old posted a video to his social media, showing his medal looking heavily oxidized after a weekend of him and his friends wearing it following his return from France. 

Apparently it’s not as high quality as you would think,” he said in the post, which showed the medal looking tarnished. “It’s starting to chip off a little.” 

He’s not alone. 

A spokesperson for Monnaie de Paris, the French mint that produced 5,084 medals for the Olympics and Paralympics this past summer, told Front Office Sports in an email Tuesday that it’s in the process of replacing a number of medals due to deterioration. 

In statements to FOS, both the International Olympic Committee and the mint did not specify the number of medals currently being replaced, citing a mutual agreement. La Lettre, a French news website, has the number at more than 100. The news was first reported by the Associated Press. 

“The Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris, the institution tasked with the production and quality control of the medals, in order to appraise any issues with medals to understand the circumstances and cause of any damage,” the IOC said in its statement. “Damaged medals will be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris and engraved in an identical way to the originals.”

In light of Huston’s video, the mint announced in August it would “systematically replace” any damaged medal. British divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen also came forward with issues with their bronze medals, a week after winning them. But the operation has grown as more athletes have come forward with complaints. 

In December, French swimmers Clément Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard posted photos on social media showing the age their medals were already displaying. Secchi described his as “crocodile skin,” while Ndoye-Brouard posted his with the caption “Paris 1924,” joking at the century-old depiction. 

“Monnaie de Paris has taken the issue of damaged medals very seriously since the first exchange requests in August, mobilizing its internal teams,” the mint said in a statement to FOS. “Monnaie de Paris modified the varnish and optimized its manufacturing process to make it more resistant to certain uses of the medals by athletes.”

The medals were designed by Chaumet, a Paris jewelry house. They’re hexagonal with a piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower embedded in each medal. 

Medals from the Paris Games had different amounts of metal in them. Gold medals had only six grams of gold, which encase the medal’s exterior, and are mostly made of silver. Silver medals are made out of pure silver, and bronze medals contain 95% copper and 5% zinc.

“The process to provide any replacements should start in the coming weeks in a process managed by Paris 2024 and Monnaie de Paris, together with the National Olympic Committees of the athletes concerned,” the IOC’s statement added. “Paris 2024 is in contact with the relevant National Olympic Committees.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
Donald Trump

Trump Again Threatens to Move World Cup, Olympics

Trump claimed he could target Boston if he deemed the city unsafe.
Athlos

Track Start-Up Athlos Makes ‘Millions’ but No Profit Yet

Alexis Ohanian called being profitable by the 2028 Olympics a “great goal.”
Alexis Ohanian

Alexis Ohanian Tweaks Track Rivals With Promise of Instant Payments

Athletes will be paid minutes after finishing their races at Athlos.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC sits during a break in their TGL golf match against Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Latest Tiger Woods Surgery Bad News for TGL, PGA Tour Champions

Woods is recovering from his seventh back surgery in 11 years.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:
October 9, 2025

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season.