Paris vs Tokyo: Olympic Medal Quality Debate

In a behind-the-scenes video, Danish badminton player Viktor Axelsen compared the quality of the Tokyo and Paris Olympic gold medals, sparking debate and controversy online.

Medal Quality Unexpected Wear and Tear

Viktor Axelsen is a Danish badminton player and one of the sport’s legends. He has won two Olympic gold medals, two World Championships, and four European Championships. 

As of August 2024, he has been ranked No. 1 in men’s singles by the BWF for a total of 183 weeks and is currently ranked No. 2 in the world.

Axelsen is famous for his powerful smashes and strong defence, and he’s widely considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

Viktor Axelsen, the Danish badminton star and two-time Olympic champion, recently shared a comparison of his two gold medals on social media. 

Surprisingly, his Tokyo 2020 medal, which is four years old, is in better condition than the Paris 2024 medal, even though the latter is only a week old. 

Both medals feature the iconic Olympic rings and the image of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

The post quickly went viral, garnering over 8.1 million views. Fans have been actively debating which medal design they prefer.

The Medal Story

For each Olympics, the host city designs new medals for the winners. This year, the Paris 2024 medals pay tribute to France’s heritage and iconic landmarks. 

They feature a hexagon shape, representing the shape of France, and are made with a piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower, which was preserved during past renovations.

While the Tokyo medal was crafted from recycled electronics collected across Japan, highlighting sustainability.

Lines radiating from the iron centre symbolise the brilliance of the host country and the outstanding performances of the athletes. The design was created by Chaumet, a jeweller managed by LVMH, the company behind luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Each Olympic medal design must be approved by the International Olympic Committee and must include the Greek goddess of victory, the Olympic emblem, the full name of the Games, and the name of the sport. These elements have evolved since the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896.

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