Every athlete can dream about standing atop an Olympic podium wearing a gold, silver, or bronze medal representing all those years of their dedication and hard work. The symbol itself is without a doubt the medal, but the Paris 2024 Olympics bring in a peculiar addition to the podium ceremony—a rather slender, golden-boxed thing presented together with the medal. What is this enigmatic box? Let’s take a closer look at the thought and symbolic gifts given to Olympic victors during the Paris Games.
The Golden Box: An Artistic Gift of Memory
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, medalists don’t just leave with a medal around their neck but receive instead this sleek, elegant box, which has piqued the interest of many viewers. Something new, something new and different from the flowers or stuffed mascots received by competitors in the past Games, lies within the 40-centimeter box.
The medal box of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games holds an official Olympic poster, a colorful artwork designed to celebrate the celebration. This poster isn’t just an ornament: it is inspired by meaning to fulfill the spirit of the Paris Olympics, the rich culture of the host city, and the diversity celebrated in this year’s competitions.
Each poster features a particular athlete but is also personalized by the particular color of their gold, silver, or bronze medal. This is really a very personalized historic artefact.
This poster addition makes the Paris Organizing Committee move so bold and innovative in their perspective toward history and sports, blending art together as one package.
The Evolution of Olympic Gifts
It is not new to give sportsmen gifts as well along with those shiny medals. The history of Olympic Games has included the most varied mementos, such as flowers and plush toys, but the Paris Olympics rethought this tradition to bring something timeless and deeply symbolic.
Australian canoeist and two-time Paris Games gold medalist Jessica Fox posted on TikTok how she loved the poster, calling the “unique and cool concept.” Fox unfurled her gold-detailed poster in front of the camera so that fans could get a glimpse of the colorful and intricate design.
“In the past, we used to get mascots or flowers,” Fox said. “But this time, it’s something more meaningful that we can take home and cherish.”
Unlike the flowers, which wither in time, or soft toys that end up on a shelf, the poster becomes a permanent inspiration of an athlete’s achievement, encapsulating the very flavor of the Games in a work of art they can treasure for ever.
A Masterwork by Ugo Gattoni
The official Paris 2024 Olympic poster is the brainchild of Ugo Gattoni, a renowned French illustrator celebrated for his meticulous and imaginative designs. Gattoni spent over four months—totaling approximately 2,000 hours—creating this intricate artwork. His design is a visual symphony of Parisian landmarks, Olympic symbolism, and representations of various sports.
The Design’s Hidden Stories
This poster includes a “fantasy city” which joins the most symbolic and recognised Parisian scenes (Eiffel Tower, River Seine, Arc de Triomphe.) to a great stadium. Nods to the Olympic Games are dispersed throughout the picture, including The Olympic Rings and the Paralympic Agitos. Imagery of sports such as swimming, diving, and even breaking (breakdancing), which makes its Olympic debut this year. Subtle, as they can be, the medals themselves are even hidden into the design.
According to Joachim Roncin, the director of design for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the poster was created to “tell countless stories” and be “full of symbols.” The outcome is a work of art that is testament to the creativity, diversity, and unity celebrated during these Games.
A Historic First for Olympic Posters
For the first time in Summer Games history, the Olympic and Paralympic posters were designed as complementary pieces. When placed side by side, Gattoni’s designs merge seamlessly into a single, unified image—a symbolic representation of the inclusivity and shared spirit of the Games.
In a word on the official Olympics website, Gattoni was full of enthusiasm for the project. “I wanted the poster to ring a bell,” he said. “It’s a story in a story, and I hope it will become an indispensable part of the Games.”
The ancient concept of the poster’s design was an offshoot of the Paris Olympics’ slogan, “Games Wide Open”, diversity, accessibility, and inclusiveness.
A Piece of Paris Embedded in the Medals
While the poster makes its own statement, medals bear a special Parisian history-the gold, silver, and bronze medals have an 18-gram piece of hexagonal iron taken from the Eiffel Tower, making it very meaningful and tangible with regard to the great city’s landmark and icon.
This more innovative design element ties the achievements of the athletes to the cultural and historical fabric of Paris, giving meaning to their victory. It is a reminder that the accomplishments will not only be globally celebrated, but it will also be etched in the heart of Paris.
More Than Just a Poster: A Plush Mascot for Keeps
These mascots come in addition to the poster and represent a plush toy inspired by the Phrygian cap, an emblem of liberty and revolution in French history. The caps have been imagined as plush mascots carrying colors representing either gold, silver, or bronze medals. Each plush also has the word “Bravo” written on it in French, a sincere expression of appreciation for the struggle and victory of the athletes.
The mascot represents the soul of the Games while giving a playful and sentimental touch to the awards ceremony.
Why the Paris 2024 Box Matters
The gold box and its contents are more than mere keepsakes; they are symbols of the innovation and thought that went into the Paris Olympics. By choosing to give the poster and an element of Parisian culture, the organizers have managed to create a memento that connects art, history, and sport in a powerful way that resonates with the recipient.
As NBC Olympics commentator Al Roker succinctly pointed out, it is “a beautiful piece of artwork” that captures the essence of the Games motto and celebrates the diversity of Paris. It presents a perfect break from convention in keeping with the forward-thinking ethos of the 2024 Games.
A Lasting Legacy for Fans and Athletes
While the gifts are mainly for the athletes, supporters can also take a little home of the Paris Olympics. Official posters can be purchased through the Olympics online shop, and thus a supporter can have a piece of Olympic history.
For athletes, the box symbolizes a treasure chest of memories, the epitome of their journey-a convergence of both physical fulfillment and artistic appreciation. Other keepsakes fade over time; however, the Paris 2024 poster and mascot are made with the intent to stand the test of time, bringing athletes back to the present for having achieved something in history.
Conclusion
The box provided to the Olympic medal winners at the Paris 2024 Games epitomizes creativity, thoughtfulness, and cultural richness at play in these Olympics. Adorned with a wonderfully designed poster and personalized according to the medal being won by the athlete and a cute mascot, it moves beyond customary tradition, giving something truly memorable.
The Paris 2024 Games ushered in a new standard of celebrating athletic achievement. Competition is less the Olympic spirit and more about the stories, values, and artistry behind the Games—a global phenomenon. Athletes carrying away that hard work with them: a chunk of Paris, along with a keepsake that reminds them forever of their experience on the world’s grand stage.
