Nyjah Huston, a Team USA skateboarder, won his first Olympic medal by earning bronze in the men’s street competition at the Paris Games. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the medal. Huston posted on Instagram, showing how quickly the medal has worn out, particularly after being exposed to sweat and being worn by friends over the weekend.
Huston mentioned that the medal initially looked great but deteriorated quickly, leading him to question its quality. He pointed out that the medal didn’t seem as high-quality as expected, especially after a short period of normal use. This criticism highlights a possible issue with the craftsmanship of the medals awarded at the Paris Olympics.
The Paris Olympic medals are unique, featuring a piece of the Eiffel Tower embedded in them to honor the host city. Despite the overall wear, Huston noted that this part of the medal remained intact, but the rest of it showed signs of deterioration. He specifically mentioned that even the front of the medal started to chip off, adding to his disappointment.
Huston’s critique of the medal quality is significant, given his status as a legend in street skateboarding and a 15-time X Games gold medalist. This summer, he added an Olympic bronze to his impressive collection, yet the poor condition of the medal might make it less of a cherished keepsake.
This experience has left Huston with mixed feelings about his Olympic achievement. While the bronze medal is a notable addition to his legacy, the apparent lack of durability in its design has led him to suggest that future Olympic medals should be made with better-quality materials to ensure they stand the test of time.