India’s celebrated pistol shooter, Manu Bhaker, is set to receive replacement medals for her two bronze medals from the Paris Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a process for the systematic replacement of damaged medals.
Bhaker, along with several other athletes, raised concerns about their medals deteriorating, with many posting images of worn-out medals on social media.
The International Olympic Committee confirmed that defective medals will be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris (the French state mint), ensuring they are engraved in an identical way to the originals.
"The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris, 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," the IOC said.
The iron pieces embedded in the centre of each Olympic medal weigh 18 grams (about two-thirds of an ounce). The French state mint is a state-owned company that mints coins and other currency for France.
All the damaged and defective medals are to be replaced in the coming weeks, as the Paris Olympics organising committee is working closely with the Monnaie de Paris.
Monnaie de Paris, the state-owned company responsible for minting France’s currency, has already replaced all reported damaged medals since August and will continue to do so as requests come in.
A spokesperson for Monnaie de Paris stated, "We have replaced all the damaged medals since August and we will continue to do so in the same professional manner as before," adding that replacements are underway and being made "as requests come in."
The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medals featured pieces of the iconic Eiffel Tower, a unique design symbolising the heritage of Paris.
The 5,084 gold, silver, and bronze medals were crafted by luxury jewellery and watch firm Chaumet (part of the LVMH conglomerate) and produced by Monnaie de Paris.
Manu Bhaker, India’s first post-Independence athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics, expressed her intention to replace her deteriorated medals.
"Yes, I read about it today. If they are replacing, then yes, I would like to get mine also replaced," she said.
The 22-year-old shooter made history by opening India’s medal tally at the Games by winning a bronze medal in the individual 10m air pistol event. This achievement made her the first markswoman from India to win an Olympic medal.
She then joined forces with Sarabjot Singh to clinch another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Bhaker’s historic performance not only solidified her position as one of India’s top shooters but also earned her a place in the annals of Indian sporting history.
The Monnaie de Paris has been working closely with the Paris Olympics Organising Committee to ensure that all damaged medals are promptly replaced, with engraved identifications that mirror the originals.
The medals, designed to reflect the cultural significance of Paris, carry a small piece of the Eiffel Tower, further adding to their symbolic importance.
While the process for replacing the defective medals has been underway since August, the IOC remains committed to addressing all complaints.
"Defective medals will be systematically replaced by the Monnaie de Paris and engraved identically. The replacement process should begin in the coming weeks," the IOC confirmed.
According to La Lettre, the medals had to endure the effects of newly introduced varnish regulations, which banned a component previously used.
This resulted in the need for a quick replacement of some medals.
The Monnaie de Paris, however, ensured that all replacements were handled with precision and professionalism.
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