Gaby
The design of the medals resembles the iconic luxury jewelry that has made this French jewelry house famous. The sunbeam pattern is reminiscent of Chaumet’s creations from the early 20th century.
Each medal features a piece of the Eiffel Tower. The 18-gram central hexagon was cast from leftover metal from the major renovation of the country’s main symbol. Interestingly, the hexagonal shape represents France on the map of Europe. The miniature fasteners at the corners, which attach the piece to the “radiant” body, allude to the millions of rivets on the Eiffel Tower. This design element is present on all the medals—gold, silver, and bronze.
Founded in 1780, Chaumet was the first jewelry house to establish itself on the legendary Place Vendôme in 1812. (Chaumet website).
The key idea behind the designers’ vision is to embody “the dazzling athletic achievements, the pride of the French in hosting the games, and Paris as the City of Light.” This was shared by the management of the jewelry house.
On the reverse side of the Olympic medals, you can see Nike—the goddess of victory, the Acropolis, and the Eiffel Tower, as reported by Designboom. Meanwhile, the Paralympic medals depict a view of the tower from below. The inscription “Paris 2024” on the Paralympic medals is engraved not only in Latin script but also in Braille (a French invention).
The total mintage of the medals is 5,084 pieces. The gold medal weighs 529 grams, the silver medal 525 grams, and the bronze medal 455 grams.
The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the largest event ever held in France. The Olympic Games will take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, while the Paralympic Games will run from August 28 to September 8.
