Picture this: You bust your guts out to win an Olympic medal, only to have it look like it’s been dragged through a battlefield just a week later. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Team USA skateboarder, Nyjah Huston. Buckle up, folks, because this tale isn’t just shocking – it’s downright absurd.
So, What’s All the Fuss About?
Just over a week after clinching third place in the men’s street final at the Paris Olympics, hustling alongside Jagger Eaton and Yuto Horigome, Huston’s bronze medal looks more like an antique relic than a prestigious accolade. Now, if you think that sounds dramatic, just wait till you see it.
Instagram Revelation
Huston, the supremely talented skateboarder with 12 gold X Games medals to his name, took to Instagram to give his following of 5.3 million a firsthand look at his medal’s shoddy state. In the short clip, he showed off his tarnished prize, explaining that a little sweat and some weekend fun were all it took for the medal to go from gloriously shiny to a chipped disaster.
“Alright, so these Olympic medals look great when they’re brand-new,” he started, his voice dripping with irony. “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. Look at that though. It’s looking rough. Even the front, it’s starting to chip off a little.”
Viewers Chime In
The reaction from his followers was probably more passionate than the crowd at the Olympics. “That is just sad that the quality of the medals is not any better than that,” one viewer lamented. “After the hard work these athletes put in over years to try to win at the Olympics, they deserve better.” Another recalled how their father’s medals from 94 years ago look better, calling out the Paris jewelers – ouch!
Meanwhile, Nyjah didn’t hold back, demanding better quality from the Olympics. His caption summarised it eloquently: “Medal looking like it went to war and back.” And honestly, can we blame him?
You’re Not Alone, Nyjah!
While Nyjah spearheaded the outcry, he wasn’t the only Olympian facing this bizarre dilemma. Brazilian gymnast, Rebeca Andrade, who clinched gold (beating none other than Simone Biles), shared her struggle with medal wear-and-tear. Andrade freely admitted she avoids wearing her medals because they kept, and I quote, “knocking against each other and scratching.” The solution? She juggles them between her hands and pockets instead of proudly around her neck. Now that’s dedication to preserving Olympic glory.
“I’m getting sad,” Andrade revealed. “And I don’t want to be sad. So I’m not going to wear them around my neck anymore.” Cheers, Paris Mint, you’re a real mood booster.
The Culprits
Now, for the pièce de résistance of this comedy of errors: the medals were designed by the renowned Parisian jewellery house, Chaumetand and minted by the Paris Mint. You’d think names this fancy would ooze top-notch quality, but alas, looks can be deceiving. LADbible has reached out to these institutions for comments, but let’s be real – we’re not holding our breath for those designer excuses.
Mary’s Take – The Final Stroke
In the grand scheme of Olympic feat, it’s a crying shame that these athletes can’t flaunt their wins without fear of erosion. A medal should be a badge of honor, not a fragile sticker. Nyjah and Rebeca, you have every right to demand better. And to anyone at the Paris Mint reading this – pull up your socks! Our Olympians deserve medals that stand the test of time and sweat.
So, dear readers, the next time you see an Olympian medal, remember, it’s probably had an easier trip to shabbiness than you’d ever believe. Until next time, keep your medals safe and your expectations realistic! Cheers!
