Indian athletes who distinguished themselves as champions during the Paris 2024 Olympics are expected to have their bronze medals substituted with identical replicas. Numerous athletes have reported issues with their medals exhibiting rust and deterioration, prompting requests for replacements.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the Monnaie de Paris, the French state mint, will systematically replace any damaged medals and ensure that the engravings match the originals.

"The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee is collaborating closely with the Monnaie de Paris, the entity responsible for the production and quality assurance of the medals, to evaluate any complaints regarding the medals and to investigate the circumstances and causes of any damage. Defective medals will be replaced systematically by the Monnaie de Paris, with identical engravings. The replacement process is anticipated to commence in the upcoming weeks," stated the IOC.

Manu Bhaker, who secured two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, has expressed her desire for identical replacements, joining a significant number of athletes in this request. Young Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat, who achieved bronze in his Olympic debut in the men’s 57 kg freestyle wrestling category, has noticed fading on his medal, although he has not yet submitted a formal complaint.

Other Indian medalists from the Paris Olympics, including Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, have reported that the colour of their medals began to wear off just days after the award ceremony.

The bronze medal's coating began to wear off within a week of its acquisition. Upon my return to India, friends, coaches, and fellow shooters also remarked on this issue. For a shooter, an Olympic medal is a highly valued item, and the loss of its finish was evident. Everyone who observed the medal commented on it, Kusale stated to the Indian Express.

Similarly, Sarabjot, who secured a bronze medal alongside Manu Bhaker in the mixed-team event, expressed his concerns regarding the discolouration, which he believes should not occur.

"I noticed the medal's discolouration shortly after the ceremony, and my team reached out to the relevant authorities to bring attention to this matter. Olympic medals serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring youth and current athletes aiming for Olympic success, and such deterioration is unacceptable," Sarabjot remarked.

As reported by the French online media outlet La Lettre, over 100 defective medals have been returned by dissatisfied athletes who have experienced deterioration in their awards. The medals were adversely affected by new materials implemented following a ban on a previously used varnish component, necessitating a last-minute replacement.

The 5,084 gold, silver, and bronze medals for the Paris 2024 Olympics were designed by the luxury jewellery and watch company Chaumet, which is part of the LVMH group and was produced by the Monnaie de Paris.

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