Winning an Olympic medal is a pinnacle achievement for any athlete, a testament to years of dedication and sacrifice. For legendary skateboarder Nyjah Huston, his first-ever Olympic medal, a bronze in the men’s street event at the Paris Games, held a special significance. However, the joy of victory was short-lived as Huston discovered a glaring issue with the medal’s quality.
“These Olympic medals look great when they’re brand-new,” Huston shared on his Instagram Story, as reported by ESPN. “But after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a little bit and then letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they’re apparently not as high quality as you’d think. … It’s looking rough.”
Huston’s concerns sparked a widespread outcry, drawing the attention of Olympic organizers. Paris 2024 acknowledged the issue, stating that they were “working closely with the Monnaie de Paris, the institution tasked with the production and quality control of the medals, and together with the National Olympic Committee of the athlete concerned, in order to appraise the medal to understand the circumstances and cause of the damage.”
The incident has raised questions about the quality standards of Olympic medals, which are typically made of gold, silver, and bronze. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has strict guidelines for the production of medals, but it remains to be seen whether these guidelines were fully adhered to in the case of the Paris 2024 medals.
Athletes and fans alike have expressed disappointment over the issue, emphasizing that Olympic medals should be a symbol of excellence and durability, not prone to tarnishing or damage. The IOC and Paris 2024 have promised to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure that future Olympic medals meet the highest quality standards.
