For the first time in the history of the Games, every Olympic and Paralympic medal è adorned with a piece highly symbolic and of inestimable value: the original iron of the Eiffel Tower.
Erected to amaze the world at Universal Exhibition of 1889, the Eiffel Tower is entirely made of a special type of iron known as ferropudding”. Produced in the forges and blast furnaces of Pompey in Lorraine, the pig iron produced by reducing iron ore is refined through an operation called “puddling”. By removing the excess carbon still present in the cast iron, the resulting iron is nearly pure and extremely strong.
Metal from renovation works
During the 20th century the structure of the Eiffel Tower underwent renovation works. Of course the metal elements were removed from the iron Lady and have always been carefully preserved. For the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel is giving these true pieces of Paris and French history a second lease on life.
Medals made like jewels
In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was presented as the flagship of the Universal Exhibition organized to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution. To celebrate the return of the champions 100 years after the last summer Games in France, there are also the Paris 2024 medals designed as real jewels.
In line with its desire to strengthen the links between sport, culture and heritage, Paris 2024 made use of the expertise of the French jeweler Chaumet. Founded in 1780, the LVMH group company, Premium Partner of Paris 2024, is the first jeweler in the history of the Games to have the honor of creating the design of the Olympic and Paralympic medals. World-famous for its expertise, elegance and embodiment of French craftsmanship, Chaumet brings the medal to the world of fine jewelry with a design based on three inspirations: the hexagon, luminosity and setting.
Olympics and Paralympics in the symbols of the Games
The city games will also share the same competition as the games, the most beautiful monuments of Paris will be transformed into a sports showcase. This desire to bring the Olympic and also the Paralympic Games is closer to being reflected in the symbols of the Games. After revealing a single emblem, a pair of mascots, a common aspect of the Games and a unique torch design, it was obvious
that the Olympic and Paralympic medals had to do, thus sharing a common face: the side with the iron of the Eiffel Tower.
