Paris Olympics controversy continues with faulty medals
Months after the Paris 2024 Olympics, controversy once again surrounds the global sporting event. This time, the issue is not about the competition itself but the quality of the medals awarded. French Olympians Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, who earned bronze in the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay, have shared shocking images of their medals deteriorating, complete with black spots and flaking surfaces.
Athletes raise concerns over medal quality
Clement Secchi took to Instagram to reveal the condition of his bronze medal. His post later shared on X (formerly Twitter), drew widespread attention, with one user joking, “Not Clement Secchi’s bronze medal that is flaking.” Responding to the post, teammate Yohann Ndoye-Brouard uploaded photos of his own tarnished medal, sarcastically captioning it “Paris 1924,” alluding to the last time Paris hosted the Summer Olympics.
The issue, however, is far from isolated. Other athletes have come forward with similar complaints. American skateboarder Nyjah Huston criticized the quality of the medals, stating, “These medals look great when they’re brand new. But after wearing it and sweating a little or letting my friends wear it over the weekend, it’s clearly not as good quality as you might think.”
A series of controversies
The Paris Olympics have been mired in controversy from the start. The opening ceremony, which featured a performance by drag queens and dancers referencing Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, sparked debates about its artistic and cultural messaging. Environmental concerns raised by French citizens about the event’s sustainability further fueled criticism.
Now, the deteriorating condition of the medals has been added to the list of complaints. The issue seems to predominantly affect bronze medalists, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Organizers promise replacements
Facing backlash, the Paris 2024 organizing committee has promised to replace the faulty medals for affected athletes, including Secchi and Ndoye-Brouard. Despite this assurance, the incident has left many questioning the quality controls in place for what is supposed to be a celebration of global excellence.
As the controversies pile up, the Paris Olympics will likely be remembered as much for its logistical and symbolic missteps as for its athletic achievements.
