LVMH’s Chaumet has been selected to design the official medals for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, introducing a novel approach by incorporating material from the Eiffel Tower into the medals’ design.
Utilizing the Eiffel Tower’s Iron
For the first time, original iron from the Eiffel Tower is being used in the creation of Olympic and Paralympic medals. This material choice links each medal directly to a key symbol of Paris.
The iron, originally brown, has been returned to its natural color and shaped into a hexagon that reflects the tower’s structure. This element is central to the design on the back of each medal, accompanied by the Paris 2024 insignia, blending the medals’ aesthetic with a nod to French heritage.
Design Themes: Hexagon, Radiance, and Setting
The design incorporates three themes: hexagon, radiance, and setting, with embossed lines around the medals to simulate rays of light, representing the energy of the Games and the athletes’ dynamism. This technique gives the medals a distinctive look, enhancing their visual appeal.
The inclusion of the Clous de Paris, mimicking the Eiffel Tower’s rivets through six metal claws, secures the iron piece on each medal, a technique borrowed from Chaumet’s jewelry design practices.
Celebrating Olympic and Paralympic Spirit
The front designs of the medals differ between the Olympic and Paralympic Games to reflect their distinct identities while paying tribute to Paris and the historical roots of the Games. The Olympic medals feature Nike, the goddess of victory, linking the modern Games to their ancient Greek origins and highlighting the connections between Greece, France, and the Olympic tradition.
The Paralympic medals present a unique perspective of the Eiffel Tower, paired with Braille inscriptions, emphasising accessibility and the Games’ inclusive spirit.
