Paris Olympics Medals: A Monumental Fusion of History and Achievement
The upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics are set to make history in more ways than one. Among the many exciting features of these games, one stands out: the medals. In a groundbreaking move, each gold, silver, and bronze medal will be embedded with a hexagonal, polished chunk of iron sourced from the iconic Eiffel Tower itself. This article delves into the fascinating details of these extraordinary medals that combine sporting achievement with a piece of French history.
The inclusion of fragments from the Eiffel Tower in the Paris Olympics medals is a testament to the grandeur and significance of this global sporting event. The 330-meter tall tower, constructed for the 1889 World's Fair, has become an enduring symbol of France. The iron pieces embedded in the center of the Olympic medals weigh 18 grams each and were carefully selected from girders and other components that were replaced during renovations and preserved for safekeeping.
Paris Games organizers collaborated with the Eiffel Tower Operating Co. to transform this visionary concept into reality. The iron pieces underwent a meticulous process of stripping, polishing, and varnishing to ensure their pristine appearance. Stamped with "Paris 2024" and the Games logo, these hexagonal iron chunks represent the shape of France, often referred to as "L'Hexagone" by the French.
Designed by the renowned Paris jewelry house Chaumet, the medals feature six small clasps that secure the iron pieces, paying homage to the 2.5 million rivets that hold the Eiffel Tower together. Surrounding the iron fragments are disks made of recycled gold, silver, or bronze, crinkled to reflect light and create a captivating shine. The Olympic medals bear the iconic five rings, while the Paralympic medals display the Paralympic logo known as the Agitos.
Paris' decision to incorporate pieces of the Eiffel Tower into the medals sets them apart from previous Olympic medals. While the 2008 Beijing Olympics introduced inlaid jade disks, Paris is the first host city to include fragments of a renowned monument. This unique addition adds a touch of French heritage and history to the medals, making them truly exceptional.
On the reverse side of the Olympic medals, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike, takes her customary place, as she has since 1928. However, Paris has added a small representation of the Eiffel Tower, deviating from tradition and further emphasizing the connection between the games and the host city.
The Paralympic medals showcase a view of the Eiffel Tower from underneath, providing a distinctive perspective. To ensure inclusivity, the words "Paris 2024" are written in Braille, and the edges of the medals feature notches: one for gold, two for silver, and three for bronze, aiding visually impaired individuals in identifying the medal type.
By the Numbers:
The Paris Mint is manufacturing a total of 5,084 medals, with approximately 2,600 for the Olympics and 2,400 for the Paralympics. These numbers account for potential reassignments of medals due to doping disqualifications and allocations to museums. The gold medals weigh 529 grams, the silver medals weigh 525 grams, and the bronze medals weigh 455 grams. It's important to note that the gold medals are not pure gold but are made of silver and plated with 6 grams of gold. The medals have a diameter of 85 millimeters and a thickness of 9.2 millimeters.
The Paris Olympics medals, embedded with fragments of the Eiffel Tower, represent a remarkable fusion of sporting achievement and French history. Athletes who stand on the podium at the Paris Games will not only take home a symbol of their triumph but also a tangible piece of France's iconic landmark. These extraordinary medals, designed with meticulous attention to detail, serve as a testament to the spirit of the games and the enduring legacy of the Eiffel Tower.