Eiffel Tower Iron Embedded in Paris Olympics Medals. In a revolutionary design unveiled by Games organizers on Thursday, each gold, silver, and bronze medal to be awarded at the July 26-August 11 Paris Games and Paralympics will feature a hexagonal, polished chunk of iron taken from the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Standing at 330 meters (1,083 feet) tall and composed of 18,038 iron parts, the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, has defied its intended lifespan of 20 years. Through rejuvenating surgery and constant care, the 135-year-old tower has endured, becoming a symbol of resilience. It has witnessed two previous Games, in 1900 and 1924, the last held in Paris. Each iron piece embedded in the center of the Paris Olympics medal weighs 18 grams (about two-thirds of an ounce), marking a unique connection between the historic landmark and the achievements of the athletes.
Crafting the Paris Olympics Medal
During renovations of the Eiffel Tower, girders and other components were replaced and carefully stored for safekeeping, as explained by Joachim Roncin, head of design at the Paris Games organizing committee. These pieces underwent meticulous preparation to be incorporated into the medals. The chunks were meticulously prepared for their new purpose: stripped of paint, polished, and varnished to ensure their second life. Adorned with the “Paris 2024” inscription and the Games logo, resembling either a flame or a woman with a stylish bob haircut, they also feature the iconic Olympic rings and the Paralympic logo of three swooshes, known as the Agitos, for the Aug. 28-Sept. 8 Paralympics.
A Tribute to the Eiffel Tower
Symbolizing France with its hexagonal shape, a nod to the country often referred to as “L’Hexagone,” the iron pieces were designed by the Paris jewelry house Chaumet. The six small clasps securing the iron in the medals pay homage to the 2.5 million rivets binding the Eiffel Tower. Encircling the iron are disks of gold, silver, or bronze, deliberately crinkled to catch and reflect light, enhancing the medals’ brilliance. Notably, the metal used is entirely recycled, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness.
Innovative Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Medals
Traditionally sober Paris Olympics medal are taking on a new dimension at the Paris 2024 Games, as they incorporate elements of the iconic Eiffel Tower. While the 2008 Beijing Olympics introduced inlaid jade disks, Paris is going further by embedding chunks of the famous monument into the medals. On one side of the medals, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike, continues her long-standing presence, dating back to 1928. However, Paris has added a unique touch by including a small representation of the Eiffel Tower alongside Nike, breaking from tradition.
Pay Tribute to Iconic Landmark
The Paralympic medals feature a different perspective of the tower, as if viewed from underneath, catering to the diverse needs of athletes. To assist visually impaired individuals, “Paris 2024” is written in Braille, with notches on the edges distinguishing between gold, silver, and bronze medals. The Paris Mint is producing 5,084 medals, with approximately 2,600 for the Olympics and 2,400 for the Paralympics. This surplus is intended to cover contingencies such as medal reassignment due to doping violations or allocation to museums. Any remaining Paris olympics medal may be disposed of to prevent misuse.
Title: Details of Paris Games Medals Unveiled
The gold medals, weighing 529 grams, are crafted not solely of gold but of silver, plated with 6 grams of the precious metal. Silvers, weighing 525 grams, uphold their lustrous status, while bronzes, at 455 grams, boast a blend of copper, tin, and zinc alloy. Measuring 85 millimeters across and 9.2 millimeters thick, each medal is a testament to both substance and size. Packaged in a distinguished dark-blue box from Chaumet, accompanied by a certificate from the Eiffel Tower Operating Co. attesting to the origin of the embedded iron pieces, the medals are presented with utmost care and reverence.
