Open in App
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    Ilona Maher is latest Olympian to call out quality of bronze medal: ‘Wearing a little bit’

    By Andrew Battifarano,

    4 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1ohHci_0uxH3se500

    The medals from the 2024 Olympics might not be built to last.

    United States rugby star Ilona Maher spoke on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Monday and admitted that her bronze medal was “wearing a little bit” just a few weeks after winning it.

    Maher, 28, was asked by the comedian if she has worn the medal around, to which she replied in the affirmative, before saying she had the bronze with her in a pouch made by Great Britain Olympic diver Tom Daley, who knits, crochets and makes crafts .

    A special birthday visit from Olympian @ilona_maher . pic.twitter.com/niGLKZAx6e

    — Late Night with Seth Meyers (@LateNightSeth) August 13, 2024
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4K4WHN_0uxH3se500
    Ilona Maher of the United States celebrates following victory during the Women’s Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between the U.S. and Team Australia on Day 4 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024. Getty Images

    Official who ruled against Jordan Chiles in Olympic medal dispute has deep Romanian ties

    “It is gorgeous, it is wearing a little bit,” Maher said of her medal, which came after the U.S. women took a medal in rugby sevens for the first time in Olympic history . “It’s a solid hunk of metal, it’s a great piece of metal.”

    Maher’s story comes less than a week after U.S. skateboarder Nyjah Huston said his bronze medal appeared to be worse for the wear after winning it in Paris this summer.

    Huston posted a few pictures to his Instagram, showing how the quality of the medal seemed to be less-than-impeccable days after winning it.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1mYnHo_0uxH3se500
    Ilona Maher poses for a photo at the USA House at Paris 2024
    on July 31, 2024 in Paris, France. Getty Images for USOPC

    Imane Khelif names Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling in ‘cyber harassment’ complaint after Olympics gender controversy

    “Alright, so these Olympic medals look great when they’re brand new,” Huston said in an Instagram story. “But after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a little bit and letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they’re apparently not as high quality as you’d think. It’s looking rough.”

    “I don’t know, Olympic medals, we gotta step up the quality a little bit,” he added.

    British synchronized diver Yasmin Harper also told reporters during the Olympics that her bronze medal also had seen better days.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0MPZA9_0uxH3se500
    Nyjah Huston, of the United States, poses after winning the bronze medal in the men’s skateboard street final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024. AP

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR STARTING LINEUP NEWSLETTER

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0nHqlj_0uxH3se500
    US Olympic skateboarder Nyjah Huston shows off the state of his
    bronze medal. Nyjah Huston/Instagram
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0xaNVe_0uxH3se500
    Yasmin Harper of Team Great Britain competes during the Women’s 3m Springboard Final on Day 14 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Aquatics Centre on August 09, 2024. Getty Images

    “There’s been some small bits of tarnishing,” she told the BBC . “I think it’s water or anything that gets under medal, it’s making it go a little bit discolored, but I’m not sure.”

    The International Olympic Committee told Agence France-Presse that the organization was working closely with the Paris Mint, which produced the medals, to replace those whose qualities had diminished.

    “The medals are the most coveted objects of the Games and the most precious for the athletes,” the IOC said .

    “Damaged medals will be systematically replaced by the Paris Mint and engraved identically.”

    For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0