Winning an Olympic gold medal is considered the pinnacle of achievement for athletes worldwide. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, this prized accomplishment will be even more special; the winning athletes will not only be revered as Olympic champions, but will also receive a memento of the host city, the famed Eiffel Tower. The historical landmark played a central role in the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, with stunning light shows, famed Celine Dion’s performance, and a grand spectacle of the Olympic rings shining through the tower. This iconic Parisian structure will also secure a place in athletes’ medal collections.
An estimated 5,084 medals were produced for the Paris 2024 Olympics with approximately 2,600 for the Olympics and 2,400 for the Paralympics. Each gold medal weighs 1.17 pounds, while the silver and bronze medals follow closely behind at 1.16 pounds and one pound, respectively. Chaumet, the French luxury jewelry brand, is credited with the design of the medals, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and spirit of the Olympics.
The Paris 2024 gold medals are unique, embodying a harmony of the hexagon, radiance, and setting. The hexagon featured in the center of the medal reflects France’s geographical shape and pays tribute to the country’s nickname – “L’hexagone”. Radiant, strand-like shapes that represent the city’s moniker as the “city of light” surround the hexagon. The six edges of the hexagon are adorned with claw settings identical to the rivets on the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the host city and its iconic structure.
The connection of the gold medals to the Eiffel Tower lies in the tower’s historical significance and the incorporation of original elements from the structure in the medals. Originally built for the 1889 World Fair, the Eiffel Tower was preserved during 20th-century renovations with pieces of the original iron stored carefully. These pieces are used to craft the hexagonal centerpiece in each medal. Each gold medal contains 0.04 pounds iron pieces from the Eiffel Tower, marking the first instance of a city’s historic landmark being included in an Olympic medal.
The value of an Olympic gold medal is not merely determined by its unparalleled recognition and prestige. Forbes estimates the worth of an Olympic gold medal for the Paris 2024 games at around $950. However, it’s undeniable that the priceless historical significance and stories of triumph associated with these medals dwarf any monetary valuation.
The medal ceremony commences with the placement of the gold medal around the winning athlete’s neck atop the podium. The athlete is then gifted a souvenir depicting the Paris 2024 mascot. The national anthem of the winning athlete’s country is played in honor of their achievement, a tradition that began in 1932. The Paris 2024 Olympic gold medals thus symbolize grandeur, victory, and a piece of Paris that will always be cherished by the champions.
