Olympic skateboarder Nyjah Huston has publicly criticized the quality of the bronze medal he received at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Just days after winning the medal, Huston posted on Instagram, showing how the medal had already begun to deteriorate. He mentioned that the medal looked “great when they’re brand new,” but after some exposure to sweat and handling by friends, it appeared tarnished and worn.
Huston, who has a history of winning multiple medals in the X Games and World Championships, was unimpressed with the state of his Olympic medal, saying it “looked like it went to war and back.” He called on the Olympics to “step up the quality” of the medals, expressing disappointment that such an important symbol of achievement was already losing its luster. Huston’s post included images showing the medal’s finish fading, particularly on the back, which had lost its shine and was covered in marks.
He humorously noted that the medals might be “meant to be in cases, not meant for the send,” acknowledging the rough treatment it endured during celebrations. Despite the criticism, Huston’s remarks reflect a broader concern about the durability of Olympic medals, which are meant to last as lifelong keepsakes.
The situation has sparked a conversation about the standards for Olympic medals, with Huston’s followers commenting on the surprising wear and tear, and some even joking that the medal looked like it was from the 1980s rather than a recent achievement.
