The Paris 2024 Olympics were not only a stage for extraordinary athletic talents but also a place of controversies that were discussed all around the world. The event began in July and was under the umbrella of issues from environmental concerns to artistic choices. One moment from the opening ceremony put up a show with drag queens and dancers that some viewers connected to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Despite the games being over, controversies still persisted, including a recent discussion about two French swimmers and the condition of their bronze medals.
The latest scandal includes swimmers Clement Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard who took to social media to reveal that their bronze medals were tarnishing with black spots just a few months after the Olympics. Secchi posted a photo on Instagram that became popular across social media. Comments included "Not Clement Secchi's bronze medal that is flaking." Ndoye-Brouard responded by sharing similar photos of his medal, writing "Paris 1924," as a sign to France that last hosted the Summer Olympics before 2024.
Other participants including British divers Yasmin Harper also reported similar issues with the medals. American skateboarder Nyjah Huston mentioned that while the medals looked great when new, they deteriorated quickly with use, and raised questions about their quality. This problem majorly appeared to affect bronze medalists, prompting a backlash against the organizing committee, which has promised to replace the defective medals after that.
The Olympic games were held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, the games included not only traditional sports but also introduced new events such as surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing, reflecting the evolving landscape of global sports.
What causes Bronze medals to corrode?
Bronze medals tarnish mainly due to oxidation, where the metal reacts with oxygen in the air. The medals become primarily dingy due to oxidation. This forms a film of cuprous oxide on the surface, which spoils the medal's appearance. These medals largely constitute an alloy of copper, zinc, and tin as shown by the composition.
This makes them more prone to oxidation as these surroundings expose them to air and moisture. Some reports available online suggested by the athletes mention that this specific use of metals in bronze alloy might not be the very best quality and would therefore cause it to tarnish more readily.
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