French National Mint Assures Uninterrupted Production of Paris Olympic Medals amid Protests

The French National mint has reassured the public that production of the medals for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games remains on track, despite recent protests and work stoppages by staff. Approximately 50 employees gathered outside the mint’s headquarters in Paris on Monday, expressing concerns about interruptions that have occurred over the past two weeks.

In response to the protests, the mint issued a statement denying claims of stalled production. They confirmed that all of the medals have been minted and are in the final stages of finishing. The mint is committed to delivering the medals on schedule for the Games, which are set to begin on July 26.

The protesting staff, represented by various trade unions, are pushing for an “Olympics bonus” similar to what other state employees are receiving for their service during the Olympics and Paralympics. However, management at the mint has declined to offer bonuses and is currently in negotiations for annual pay increases for their workforce of 430 employees.

These employees are responsible for crafting approximately 5,000 gold, silver, and bronze medals for the Paris 2024 Games. The medals have a unique origin, being made from recycled metal with a small medallion cut from discarded metal sourced from the original Eiffel Tower.

Earlier reports had suggested challenges in finding a suitable non-toxic coating for the medals to protect them from rust, but the mint has since refuted these claims. As preparations for the Paris Olympics continue, the mint’s assurances regarding medal production aim to ease concerns and maintain momentum leading up to the highly-anticipated sporting event.