On social media, a viral video showed an Irish Olympian being forced to return his medal just weeks after the competition, leaving viewers stunned.
On TikTok, Irish rower Daire Lynch shared a video where he expressed his shock after discovering he had to return his Olympic gold.
Irish rower Daire Lynch recently returned his Olympic bronze medal after discovering an unexpected flaw.
While. Lynch, who competed in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, joins a growing number of athletes who have reported similar issues with their medals.
Irish Olympian experiences medal mishap
Lynch, alongside his rowing partner Philip Doyle, secured third place in the men’s double sculls.
They narrowly missed out on the gold and silver medals.
These top two positions were claimed by Romania and the Netherlands, respectively.
Initially elated with their accomplishment, the duo’s celebration was cut short.
Lynch noticed that the condition of his medal had deteriorated just weeks after the event.
The problem isn’t isolated to Lynch.
Athletes from various disciplines have reported similar issues.
Team USA fencer Nick Itkin shared on social media that his bronze medal had developed scratches and dark marks.
Additionally, this occurred only days after being awarded the medal.
Meanwhile, Team GB diver Yasmine Harper noticed tarnishing on her medal before even leaving Paris.
The discovery has raised concerns among the athletes and the organizing committee about the quality of the medals awarded at the 2024 Games.
Social media reaction
Many viewers expressed concerns about the quality of the Olympic medals in the comments.
One person said: They said they would give a new one to any which deteriorated fast. Shame though
A second wrote: It’s bronze, it oxidises. You just have to polish it it will get back to new
While a third commented: It’s bronze, it oxidises. You just have to polish it it will get back to new
Someone else said: This mirrors these quality olympics
Olympic Organizers address the issue
Olympic organizers have requested that all affected medals be returned for inspection.
Speaking on Irish television, Lynch explained, “I wanted to keep mine, but they wanted to take it away for research. They want to see what is wrong with the medals.” His partner, Doyle, echoed the sentiment, noting that his medal’s condition had also worsened: “It’s nearly gone the next layer down.”
The Paris 2024 organizing committee, in collaboration with Monnaie de Paris, has launched an investigation into the damage to the medals.
Additionally, Monnaie de Paris is the institution responsible for their production and quality control.
The investigation aims to determine the cause of the damage.
They are working closely with the athletes’ respective National Olympic Committees to address the issue promptly.
This incident underscores the need for quality in Olympic medals.
Athletes dedicate years of their lives to their sport, and their medals are symbols of their hard work and achievement.
Ensuring that these symbols remain intact is vital.
As Lynch and others wait for answers, the focus remains on how future events can prevent such issues from occurring again.
As the investigation continues, athletes and fans alike hope for a resolution that honors the commitment and efforts of Olympians worldwide.
Additionally, the incident serves as a reminder of the significance of these medals and the importance of preserving their integrity.
While the damaged medals were an unexpected outcome, the dedication of the athletes remains undiminished.
Their spirit continues to shine through despite the issue.