Indian Athletes Express Concerns Over Olympic Medal 'Rust'
Manu Bhaker was shocked to notice the shine of her medal fading, a week after winning her first Olympic bronze in Paris, Within days, the color of her second Olympic bronze also started to dull.
Not just Manu, who became the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympics since independence, but fellow shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh also felt disheartened to see the most prized possession of their sporting careers lose its shine.
The poor quality of medals awarded at the Paris Olympics has sparked complaints from medallists worldwide. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed to AFP that the "defective medals" will be replaced.
“The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris (the French state mint), the institution responsible for the manufacture and quality control of the medals, to assess any complaints about the medals and to understand the circumstances and cause of any damage,” it quoted IOC as saying. “Defective medals will be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris and engraved identically.”
AFP quoted French online media outlet La Lettre as saying that “more than 100 defective medals have been returned by disgruntled athletes”. It explained that the medals “had to bear the brunt of the new products used”, as new regulations banned a component of the varnish previously employed and “had to be replaced at short notice”.
India won six medals at the Paris Games, with Neeraj Chopra securing the only silver. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat and the men's hockey team also claimed bronze. Several hockey players have reported damage to their medals as well.
Manu Bhaker’s father Ram Kishan said, “The coating on both of Manu’s bronze medals has come off. It doesn’t look like the medals are just a few months old from this Olympics. Manu has now framed it and we have put it in a showcase at home. We don’t take it out for fear that it could get damaged even more.”
Sarabjot, who along with Manu won bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed event, said he has contacted Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials to have his medal replaced.
“Within a few days I saw the upper layer start to chip off. It’s as if with every touch the layer was coming off. I was feeling bad looking at them. It’s a result of our hard work. I’ve spoken to someone to bring it to the knowledge of IOA so that something can be done,” he said.
Swapnil, who won bronze in the 50m rifle three positions, said he kept searching for ways to stop the deterioration of his medal. “I was thinking of ways to put a layer or something to preserve it, but I think there are IOC norms to be followed with respect to Olympic medals. It’s good to know that the IOC is replacing the medals, I would like it to be changed,” he said.
Further, “I have gone to so many events after the Olympics where I have taken out the medal and showed it. It’s a proud possession and everyone wants to hold it. I don’t want to restrict myself where I can’t take out the medal,” Swapnil said.
“The replacement process should begin in the coming weeks,” IOC was quoted as saying by AFP.
IOA president PT Usha stated that if any Indian medallist raised the issue, she would promptly address it with the IOC. “An Olympic medal is a lifetime achievement and a cherished memory. If any athlete feels that their medal has deteriorated because of poor quality and needs a replacement, we will request IOC for replacement,” she said.
The Paris Olympics medals were presented as groundbreaking, with each one featuring a unique piece of the iconic Eiffel Tower, sourced from the monument’s operating company. The reverse side showcases the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, along with the Acropolis.
According to the organising committee, “Paris 2024 worked on the design of the medal with Chaumet, an LVMH Group company which is a Premium Partner of Paris 2024.”
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