Organizers of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics announced today that “those who win medals in the upcoming Olympic Games will receive pieces of the famous Eiffel Tower in the French capital as a reward for their achievement, following the unveiling of the medals, which contain ancient metals from significant landmarks in Paris.” The creative director of the Games, Thierry Reboul, stated that “the idea aims to connect the event with symbols of France.” The French official added, "The Eiffel Tower is the most important symbol of Paris... this is an opportunity for athletes to take a piece of Paris with them."
The medals for the event, designed by jeweler Chaumet, feature a representation of the hexagonal map of France, weighing 18 grams each, made from remnants of ancient metals removed from the famous tower during previous repair and development operations. These pieces are incorporated into the gold, silver, and bronze medals for the major sporting event.
On the reverse side of the medals, there is an image of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, flanked by the Eiffel Tower on one side and the Acropolis on the other. The medals for the Paralympic Games feature a view of the Eiffel Tower from below, along with the phrase “France 2024” in Braille to honor the French inventor who created it. The medals were produced in the form of French coinage.
