The quality of the medals awarded at the Paris 2024 Olympics has come into question following concerns raised by Nyjah Huston, a prominent Team USA skateboarding team member. Huston, who secured a bronze medal in the men’s skateboard street event, publicly expressed his disappointment after his medal began to deteriorate within a week of receiving it.
“Not as high quality as you’d think”
In a video shared with his five million Instagram followers, Huston revealed that his bronze medal had already started chipping and losing its color just days after his victory.
He described the condition of the medal as looking like it had “gone to war and back,” emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the quality. “They’re apparently not as high quality as you’d think… It’s looking rough… I don’t know, Olympic medals, we gotta step up the quality a little bit,” Huston remarked in the video, as he zoomed in to display the visible wear and tear on the medal.
Medals made from recycled materials
The medals awarded at the Paris 2024 Olympics were designed with sustainability in mind, featuring a piece of recycled scrap metal from the iconic Eiffel Tower. Over 5,000 medals were produced by France’s mint for the Games, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility.
However, Huston’s criticism suggests that using recycled materials may have compromised the durability of the medals. “Alright, so these Olympic medals look great when they’re brand new,” Huston said, adding that the damage became evident after the medal had been in contact with sweat and worn by friends over the weekend.
A first Olympic medal for a seasoned champion
While the Paris 2024 bronze is Huston’s first Olympic medal, the 29-year-old skateboarder is no stranger to the podium. He boasts an impressive record, having won gold 12 times at the X Games and six times at the World Championships. In addition to his gold medals, Huston has also secured several silver and bronze medals across both competitions. Huston’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about the quality of the Olympic medals, raising questions about the balance between sustainability and durability in future Games.