Paris 2024 Unveils Olympic & Paralympic Medals Made With Eiffel Tower Pieces
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
Paris 2024 has introduced the medals for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a piece of the iconic Eiffel Tower embedded into each one. This elegant design, helmed by the esteemed French jewelry house Chaumet of LVMH Group, marries the most coveted prize in sports with a symbol of French heritage.
For the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history, the medals will be built with the original iron from the Eiffel Tower, rebirthing this historical material and offering 5,084 athletes a tangible piece of Parisian and French history.
The prizes, produced by the Monnaie de Paris, contain 18g of iron from the tower, a gift from the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, derived from its renovations over the years.
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
Monumental jewelry
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
Chaumet has elevated the medals from mere awards to actual pieces of high jewelry. At the center of each piece lies a hexagonal piece of Eiffel Tower iron, symbolizing France itself, often referred to as “l’hexagone' due to its shape. This middle portion is embossed with the emblem of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, blending with the gold, silver, and bronze to create a visually striking two-tone effect.
Surrounding the hexagon, fine lines radiate outwards, adding a 3D effect and sparkle, symbolizing both the radiance of France during the Games and the luminous achievements of the athletes.
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
Using Chaumet’s traditional methods, the Eiffel Tower iron is intricately set into the medal using a “claw setting,” a technique emblematic of the luxury house’s high jewelry creations. Showcasing ‘Clous de Paris’ claws, the thoughtful design choice not only secures the iron hexagon but also pays homage to the architectural beauty of the building itself.
Braille, invented in France, dots these
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
The Paralympic medals further enrich the cultural narrative by incorporating the dates of the Games in International Braille on their backs, honoring Louis Braille, the French inventor of the braille system.
Towering ribbons
The medals are complemented by specially designed ribbons inspired by the Eiffel Tower’s crosspieces. This touch subtly evokes the silhouette of the famous monument, with the Olympic ribbon in a sober blue and the Paralympic ribbon in a deep red, reflecting the tower’s original color scheme.
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
All the pieces are set against a backdrop of the Olympic flame and rings.
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
“Thanks to Chaumet, the Paris 2024 medals have been designed like real pieces of jewelry,” remarks Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024. “On both sides, they will show the most beautiful face of France. With their piece of the Eiffel Tower, they will be totally unique, creating a genuine link between the medal-winning athletes and our country.”
Image via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024
[via WWD and Forbes, images via ©Thomas Deschamps / LVMH / Paris 2024]
