Olympian shares what item inside box given to athletes at the same time as their medals really looks like
A shiny medal and life-long status as an Olympian are of course two key things the athletes who make it to the podium are awarded.
But as well as receiving the pricey bronze, silver or gold medal, the athletes are also given a mysterious box to go with it.
Viewers will have spotted by now the long slim boxes held by those at the 2024 Paris Olympics as they bite onto their medal for a snap. And while they cheer on the athletes, many people have been left wondering just what on earth is inside the boxes.
A certificate maybe? A bit of paperwork to confirm their medal? Nope, it’s actually more of an official souvenir.
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Mexican archer Ana Paula Vazquez recently scooped up the bronze medal in the women’s team event and took to TikTok to show off just what’s in the box.
Although her video isn’t in English, she gives a pretty good look at the mysterious contents: A very special poster.
“Oh my!” she admires as she unrolls a large colourful poster designed by French illustrator Uga Gattoni.
The cartoon version of Paris features a big red Eiffel Tower and the river Seine surrounded by various sites and arenas where the different sports take place.
It’s said Gattoni spent a massive 2,000 hours painstakingly designing the drawing of this year’s host city over a period of four months.
He also included the words XXXIII Olympiade to reference the fact that Paris 2024 is the 33rd edition of the Olympic Games.
The director of design at this year’s Olympics, Joachim Roncin, explained he wanted this fun illustration to 'tell the story of Paris 2024' as an 'overview of the entire project'.
Users thanked Vazquez for doing the box reveal as they wrote: “About time somebody showed it.”
“Thank you for opening it! I can’t believe it’s taken this long to see it lol,” another echoed. Many called it ‘such a cool poster’ as others were relieved to find out it’s ‘not a baguette’.
Some also think it could be a fun idea to get other athletes in the village to sign it ‘kinda like a year book’.
And as well as this special poster to go with their medal, athletes also go home with a ‘medal-winning mascot’ which they are given after leaving the podium.
This year, they have been created by the Doudou & Compagnie factory based in La Guerche-de-Bretagne, France.
The International Olympic Committee explains: "Gold, silver or bronze medals are represented by the medal emblem sewn onto the mascot's belly, by the colour of the trainers and by the text 'Bravo' in French on the back of the Phryge."
Jess Battison