PARIS: Paris Olympics and Paralympics medals will boast a unique feature—a hexagon-shaped piece of iron sourced from the original Eiffel Tower, organizers announced as they unveiled the medal design.
Crafted by the esteemed French jewelry house Chaumet, the 5,084 gold, silver, and bronze medals will showcase this historic element at their center.
Tony Estanguet, head of the local organizing committee, expressed the significance of offering medal winners a fragment of the iconic Eiffel Tower, symbolizing a fusion of precious metals and the country’s rich heritage.
Chaumet’s design incorporates a circular arrangement of ridges to catch light, evoking the sun’s rays, with the iron hexagon representing mainland France, anchored by rivet-like spurs mirroring the Tower’s construction.
The iron pieces were sourced from a Paris warehouse used by the Tower’s maintenance company, ensuring authenticity and historical resonance. All metals used in the medals, weighing approximately half a kilogram each, have been recycled, aligning with sustainability efforts.
Manufactured by the national mint, the medals will undergo a meticulous process to protect the iron from oxidation. Despite recent speculation, organizers assured that no issues have arisen in this regard. Chaumet’s involvement adds a touch of luxury, treating the Eiffel Tower fragment as a precious gemstone, expertly set within the medal design.
The Paris Olympics aims for a seamless execution, with Chaumet and other luxury brands under LVMH’s umbrella playing integral roles as corporate sponsors. Set against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, the Games’ opening ceremony promises a spectacular display, highlighting France’s cultural heritage and global significance.
