First place celebrating or counterfeiting ?

With just a few days to go before the Paralympic Games kick off, the excitement in Paris is not limited to the athletes competing. French authorities are on maximum alert, but not only to secure the sporting events. An unexpected problem has surfaced: Olympic medals that seem to be of poor quality and a flood of counterfeit merchandise inundating the capital. The scandal erupted when Nyjah Huston, a prominent name in skateboarding, revealed on Instagram a bronze medal far from the shine expected of an Olympic prize. This 2024 medalist, at the peak of his career with 15 gold medals at the X Games and six world titles, was stunned by the state of this medal. After just a few days, the precious reward, meant to symbolize sporting excellence, already showed worrying signs of wear.

Medals Already Rusting?

“These Olympic medals look great when they’re brand new,” he wrote in an Instagram story. “But after leaving them on my skin with a bit of sweat and lending them to my friends for the weekend, they apparently aren’t of the best quality. Look at this, it’s rough. Even the front is starting to peel. Maybe we should reconsider the quality of the medals.” An Olympic medal rusting after just a few days of use? According to the reaction of internet users, Huston is not the only one questioning the quality of these sporting symbols. Could this tarnish the image of the Paris 2024 Games? In response to the controversy, the organizing committee of the Paris 2024 Games has sought to reassure. A spokesperson stated that replacement medals would be sent to the affected athletes. “We are working closely with the Monnaie de Paris, responsible for the production and quality control of the medals, as well as with the National Olympic Committee of the concerned athlete, to examine the medal and understand the circumstances and cause of the damage,” he specified. But despite these assurances, the incident raises questions about the durability of the medals made for the event. Although bronze medals are traditionally made from an alloy of copper, zinc, and tin, their exact composition remains secret. The quality of this alloy can vary, especially if cheaper materials were used, thereby accelerating their degradation.

Counterfeits: Another Headache for Paris 2024

While official medals are scrutinized closely, another threat looms over the integrity of the Games: counterfeit merchandise. Caps, t-shirts, keychains, pennants... nothing escapes the forgers’ appetite. Since December 2023, French customs have seized no fewer than 500,000 counterfeits, some of which even attempted to replicate Olympic medals. But unlike the originals, these fake medals do not even manage to mimic the appearance of the official awards. Florent Nourian, head of the trafficking and organized crime bureau, is astonished by the scale of the phenomenon. “The fake Olympic medals are not at all similar, as you can see,” he explained while browsing shelves filled with fake products. The record seizure of 145,000 counterfeits in a single operation highlights the scale of the task facing law enforcement as the Paralympic Games approach. Fortunately, the fight against counterfeiting remains strong. During the Olympic fortnight, increased police presence around competition sites helped contain the spread of fake products, preventing street and market sales. But with the influx of new visitors for the Paralympic Games, vigilance remains crucial. Customs officers continue to search ports, airports, and warehouses to stop the arrival of new counterfeits.

A Threat to the Games' Image

Merchandise is an integral part of the Olympic experience, allowing fans to take home a piece of history. But the proliferation of counterfeits not only tarnishes the image of the Games but also poses a risk to consumers, who might end up with poor quality or even dangerous products. For Paris 2024, the stakes are twofold: ensuring authentic souvenirs and protecting the reputation of the Games, which aim to be exemplary on all levels. In this regard, the quality of the medals and merchandise must reflect the excellence of the sport they celebrate. As the Paralympic Games are about to start, this affair underscores how organizing a global event is a colossal challenge. Between the need to ensure impeccable quality standards for Olympic rewards and the ongoing battle against counterfeiters, the Paris 2024 organizers have their work cut out for them. For beyond the podiums and records, it is these symbols that will remain etched in memory long after the Olympic flame has been extinguished.