Olympic Medal Quality Under Scrutiny as Athletes Speak Out

Great Britain diver Yasmin Harper has joined the conversation regarding the quality of Olympic medals after skateboarder Nyjah Huston raised concerns about his bronze medal's condition. Huston, who secured third place in the men’s street skateboarding final, shared images on Instagram showing his medal with noticeable discoloration and chips, prompting discussions about the durability of these prestigious awards. Harper, who won Team GB’s first medal of the Games alongside partner Scarlett Mew Jensen in the women’s 3m synchronised springboard diving final, revealed that her own bronze medal has experienced “small bits of tarnishing.” Following her fifth-place finish in the women’s 3m springboard competition, she acknowledged the discoloration, attributing it to exposure to water or other elements. However, she expressed that the tarnishing does not diminish her pride in the medal, stating, “No, because it’s still a medal.” The medals for the Paris 2024 Olympics, designed by French luxury jeweller Chaumet, feature a piece of original iron from the Eiffel Tower and are adorned with the Games logo and the Olympic rings. Despite their artistic design, Huston’s comments highlight a growing concern among athletes regarding the quality and longevity of the medals, as he noted the deterioration after minimal wear. He urged for improvements, stating, “Olympic medals, you’ve maybe got to step up the quality a little bit.”