French luxury conglomerate LVMH has denied reports that it is to blame for the deterioration and rusting of Olympic medals handed out to athletes at last year's Paris Summer Olympics.
Luxury jeweler Chaumet, owned by parent company LVMH, has become the butt of a joke in France after more than 100 athletes who won bronze medals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics asked to be replaced.
However, an LVMH spokesperson told the Post that although Chaumet designed the medal, neither Chaumet nor LVMH were involved in its creation.
The French mint, Monnaie de Paris, which is responsible for producing the medals, admitted that there was a technical defect in the varnish applied to prevent oxidation.
The group cited changes in formulations due to recent European Union regulations banning the use of chromium trioxide, a chemical previously used to prevent rust.
An LVMH spokesperson told the Post that “that responsibility rests solely with the Monnaie de Paris and the International Olympic Committee,” adding, “LVMH has no involvement in this aspect of the process and “I will not comment on the issue,” he added.
LVMH, owned by the family of billionaire Bernard Arnault, was a major sponsor of the Paris Summer Games.
The backlash began after French swimmers Clement Secchi and Johann Ndoye-Brouard posted photos of their bronze medals on social media, with the surface appearing to be peeling off.
Mr Setch described the medal as resembling “crocodile skin”.
The company made its presence felt during the competition, from the athletes' equipment to the provision of Moët & Chandon champagne in the VIP lounges.
US Olympic fencer Nick Itkin also reported that his condition started to worsen just days after winning the bronze medal.
This is not the first time that Olympic medals handed out to athletes have fallen apart.
After the 2016 Rio Olympics, around 6,000 medals had to be replaced due to defects such as rust, peeling coatings and black spots appearing on the surface.
The Brazilian Mint, which produced the medals, attributed the problem to extreme heat, handling conditions and flaws in the manufacturing process.
During the Paris Games, Chaumet, known for its exquisite craftsmanship, sophisticated design, and deep ties to European royalty, They showcased their one-year effort to create the medal.which included incorporating part of the Eiffel Tower into the centerpiece of each award.
However, that didn't stop the bronze medal from rusting.
The medal began showing signs of deterioration soon after it was awarded this summer.
The International Olympic Committee has since apologized and promised to provide replacement athletes.
