Concerns Over Medal Deterioration Continue
Enmanuel Reyes Pla, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 92-kilogram category, has expressed his disappointment and frustration over the deterioration of his medal. This is not the first time he has spoken out about the issue, having previously raised his voice months ago.
Reyes Pla took to his LinkedIn profile to share his concerns, stating that he is shocked by the condition of the medals. He mentioned that he had to search the internet for ways to take care of his medal, which he believes is a symbol of collective effort and dedication.
He also shared an image of his medal, which appears to be in a poor state. Reyes Pla emphasized that it is not about vanity, but about protecting what represents the hard work and dedication of athletes, their teams, and supporters.
Medals Damaged Shortly After Being Awarded
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee had announced that the medals would be unique, with each one featuring an original iron piece from the Eiffel Tower. However, it appears that the medals have not withstood the test of time.
Several athletes, including Nyjah Huston, who won a bronze medal in skateboarding, have spoken out about the poor condition of their medals. Huston shared a post on social media, stating that his medal looked like it had been through a war.
Álvaro Martín, the Olympic champion in mixed relay walking and bronze medalist in the 20-kilometer walk, also expressed his concerns about the state of the bronze medals. He mentioned that the medal was peeling off and losing its color, despite being stored in the box provided.
Paris 2024 had announced that it would replace the damaged bronze medals, but it appears that this has not been done yet. The bronze medals are made from an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc, and have a diameter of 85 millimeters, 9.2 mm thick, and weigh 455 grams.