Did you know that for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, an authentic piece of the Eiffel Tower will be integrated into the design of the medals? A unique and symbolic initiative that celebrates both French heritage and the Olympic spirit. These medals, marked by excellence and history, promise to be true treasures filled with meaning for athletes from around the world.
Medals Infused with Parisian History
The Olympic and Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 will not only mark athletes but also history and heritage enthusiasts. To commemorate this large-scale event, the organizers have chosen to integrate an iconic fragment of the Eiffel Tower into the design of the Olympic and Paralympic medals.
A Design by Chaumet and the Monnaie de Paris
The creation of these medals has been entrusted to the prestigious jewelry house Chaumet, located in Place Vendôme, and to the Monnaie de Paris. These renowned institutions ensure the elegance and quality of each medal while paying tribute to the “Iron Lady.”
The ribbons of the medals are decorated with characteristic crossbars of the tower, made by the Stéphanoise company Neyret. The figure of the goddess of victory adorns the face of the Olympic medals, and the Eiffel Tower is depicted in a low angle on the Paralympic medals, with the inscriptions “Paris” and “2024” in braille.
Historical Fragments Incorporated
A unique element makes these medals even more special: a fragment of the Eiffel Tower is centered in them. This fragment comes from the renovation works carried out since its construction between 1887 and 1889. Composed of 18 grams of puddled iron made in the Lorraine factory in Pompey, it symbolizes the robustness and history of this legendary building.
A Meticulous Manufacturing Process
The production of these extraordinary medals has not been an easy task. The Monnaie de Paris employed around forty operations to produce these exceptional pieces. After being struck four times, the medals are heated to 480°C and then immersed in a mixture of acid and water to remove any impurities.
Durable and Eco-Friendly Materials
In line with modern values of sustainability and environmental respect, the medals of Paris 2024 are entirely made from recycled materials. In addition to the fragments of the Eiffel Tower, each medal reuses materials, highlighting the ecological commitment of the games.
Three Sizes of Medals to Reward Winners
The medals of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 come in three sizes for the three podium places:
- Gold: 529 grams
- Silver
- Bronze: 455 grams
The diameter of these medals is 85 millimeters and their thickness is 9.2 millimeters, reflecting the meticulousness and expertise of the artisans who crafted them.
First Medal Ceremony
The first Olympic medals will be awarded on July 27, 2024, to the winners of the mixed team rifle event in Châteauroux. This will be a historic moment not only for the athletes but also for all enthusiasts of Parisian heritage.
