Nyjah Huston, a prominent American skateboarder and a key figure in the skateboarding world, has drawn attention to an unexpected issue with the Olympic medals awarded at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Huston won a bronze medal in the men’s street skateboarding final held on July 29.
A week after the event, Huston posted a shocking update on social media, revealing the substandard condition of his medal. In an Instagram Story shared on August 8, he displayed the bronze medal, which showed signs of significant wear and tear. Huston noted that the medal, which initially looked pristine, began chipping and deteriorating after just a short period of use.
“Alright, so these Olympic medals look great when they are brand new,” Huston remarked in his post. “But after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a little bit and then letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they are not as high quality as you would think.” He added, “I mean look at that thing, it’s looking rough. Even the front is starting to chip off a little.”
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Huston’s candid post included images of the damaged medal, which prompted a significant response from both fans and Olympic officials. In a subsequent update, he humorously commented, “Medal looking like it went to war and back,” highlighting the extent of the damage with a raised eyebrow and laughing emojis.
In reaction to the uproar caused by Huston’s revelations, Olympic organizers have promised to address the issue. A spokesperson stated, “The medals are the most coveted objects of the Games and the most precious for the athletes. Damaged medals will be systematically replaced and engraved in an identical way to the originals.”
The controversy has raised questions about the quality and durability of Olympic medals. According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations, Olympic gold medals must contain at least 92.5% silver and be plated with a minimum of 6 grams of gold. Silver medals are also composed of 92.5% silver, while bronze medals are made of 95% copper and 5% zinc.
