In a pioneering initiative that blends athletic accomplishment with French heritage, the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have introduced a distinctive design for their medals. For the first time in Olympic history, each medal will include a piece of the famed Eiffel Tower, forging a tangible connection between the premier global sporting event and one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.
Luxury jewelry brand Chaumet, celebrated for its expertise in French jewelry craftsmanship, was selected to create these exceptional medals. Their design not only symbolizes athletic excellence but also honors Paris, the City of Light, as it hosts the Olympics for the first time in a century.
Clementine Massonnat, Head of Design at Studio Chaumet, states, “For the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Paris 100 years later, we had to revive this symbol in an exceptional way.”
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At the core of each medal is a hexagonal piece of iron, meticulously cut from the original metal used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower. This precious fragment is set like a gemstone, crimped into the center of the medal. The design radiates outward from this central point, with asymmetric rays that catch and reflect light, symbolizing the brilliance of the athletes’ achievements and the luminous spirit of Paris itself.
Benoit Verhulle, Workshop Head at Chaumet, explains the significance behind the medal design. He says, “It embodies our city, promotes our heritage, as for the athletes, it’s a lifelong quest.”
Chaumet’s designers approached the task with great precision. The process included thorough research, numerous sketches, and 3D modeling to find the ideal balance of form and symbolism. The outcome is a medal that serves not just as an award, but as a living object encapsulating the essence of Paris and the Olympic spirit.
Massonnat explains, “The radiance symbolises the richness of three heritages: France, its capital and the Maison Chaumet. A first design is put on paper, supported by all these inspirations. And then comes the formatting with the 3D tests. We modelise until we reach perfection.”
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According to Verhulle, the medals boast a “mirror-polished gold” surface, designed to maximize their radiance. A “unique facet allows light to be caught and reflected,” creating a dynamic visual effect. Each medal features “a piece of the Eiffel Tower, cut into a hexagon, set in the center like a precious stone with the Parisian jewelry technique.” The metal’s thickness has been meticulously crafted to give the medals a sense of life and movement, ensuring they are always dynamic.
For the athletes who will wear these medals, they represent more than just victory. As Verhulle aptly describes, the Olympic medal “represents the Holy Grail for any athlete. It’s the pinnacle of their sport; a dream realized.”