The Paris 2024 Olympics—where do I even begin to capture the sheer elegance with which this city hosted the Games? Imagine world-class athletes competing against the backdrop of Paris's most iconic monuments: beach volleyball just opposite the Eiffel Tower, fencing and taekwondo under the glass ceiling of the Grand Palais, archery at Les Invalides and equestrian sports at the Palais de Versailles. Sport has never looked so effortlessly chic!
Leave it to the French to elevate the experience by infusing every detail with that signature "old French finesse." Case in point: the Olympic and Paralympic medals, making history by incorporating a fragment of the Eiffel Tower into their design. It’s a stunning blend of tradition and innovation, and I like to call it "haut-medaille"—the ultimate in medal fashion.
(above image credit from https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/events/eiffel-tower-center-paris-2024-olympic-medals)
In a perfectly matched collaboration between Paris 2024 and the esteemed Chaumet jewellery house, part of the LVMH group, the Olympic medals have been reimagined as true pieces of art. For the first time in Olympic history, the medals incorporate a piece of the Eiffel Tower itself, turning them into exquisite jewels that symbolize both tradition and innovation. The design, echoed along the ribbon, is a breathtaking nod to French elegance and craftsmanship.
The metal used in the medals comes from the Eiffel Tower's structure, specifically puddle iron removed during 20th-century renovations. A 0.6 oz piece of this historic iron is set at the centre of each medal, naturally coloured and reshaped into a hexagon, a geometric form that represents France. This collaboration not only honours Paris's rich history but also elevates the medals to a level of sophistication and cultural significance never before seen at the Olympic Games.
Since the 1789 storming of the Bastille, the Phrygian cap has been a powerful symbol of French liberty, famously worn by Marianne, the embodiment of France. Now, meet the Phryges—two red, triangular caps with floppy tops and tricolor ribbon eyes, embodying the spirit of Paris 2024. These playful mascots, one Olympic and one Paralympic, are here to lead a new revolution through sport. The Olympic Phryge is the "smart one," with a methodical mind and charm, while the Paralympic Phryge is a "party animal," spontaneous and a bit hotheaded. Together, they’re sporty, party-loving, and oh-so-French!
Below are some of my highlights from my 2 days spent at the Paris Olympics!
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