Concerns about medal quality emerged during the event when American skateboarder Nyjah Huston revealed that his bronze medal had rusted within just a week.

Since then, other athletes have shared similar experiences, including American fencer Nick Itkin and rugby player Ilona Maher.

British diver Yasmin Harper, who won bronze in the women’s 3 m synchronized platform alongside Scarlett Mew Jensen, also reported issues.

“There are some minor tarnishes,” Harper wrote on social media, sharing a photo of her medal. “I think it’s water or something that got into the metal and discolored it, but I’m not sure.”

Last month, French swimmers Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard revealed the bronze medal they won in the 4x100m medley relay has deteriorated. They posted photos on social media to highlight the problem.

According to French newspaper The Letterover 100 athletes have now returned their medals to the Paris Olympic 2024 organizing committee. The management team of Monnaie de Paris, the company responsible for manufacturing the medals, has reportedly been dismissed following the issues.

The medals for the Paris 2024 Olympics were designed by French luxury jeweler Chaumet, which included hexagonal steel plates taken from the Eiffel Tower during renovations in the 20th century.

French swimmer Clement Secchi posted a photo of his medal last month with the caption “Crocodile skin”. Photo by Instagram/@clem_secchi

Gold medals at the Olympics are typically made of silver plated with gold, while bronze medals are a blend of copper, zinc, and tin. Copper naturally oxidizes when exposed to air and moisture, and the rate of deterioration can increase if lower-quality materials are used in the alloy.

A total of 207 delegations participated in the Paris Olympics 2024, with 91 winning at least one medal. Vietnam sent 16 athletes but did not secure any medals, with shooter Trinh Thu Vinh achieving the best result by finishing fourth in the women’s 10m air pistol final.