Qatar's Mutaz Barshim (left) and Philippines' Carlos Yulo receive their bronze and gold medal during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Pics: QOC / AFP
Doha, Qatar: The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will officially come to an end during the Closing Ceremony this evening, August 11, at 10pm Doha time. But even after 17 days of intense competition, many are still curious about what’s actually inside the rectangular box that athletes hold on the podium.
"I thought the box was for holding the medals," said Clark Cesar while browsing Facebook photos of his compatriot, Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo when the athlete received the first of his two consecutive Olympic gold medals.
When awardees stand on the podium, medals shining around their necks, they’re also handed something intriguing—a slender, gold box. So, what’s inside this box?
American gymnasts Simone Biles (silver) and Jordan Chiles (bronze) hold their Games posters as they celebrate the victory of Brazil's Rebeca Andrade (gold) during the medal ceremony for floor exercise at Paris 2024 Olympics. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys / AFP)
Isn’t the box meant for the medals? Many assumed so, but it turns out there’s more to the story. According to the Olympics official website, alongside their medal, athletes are gifted the official Paris Games poster, carefully tucked into the 40-centimetre box.
Spain's Sergio Gomez (centre) and teammates hold boxes with the Paris Games poster as they celebrate after winning the men's final football match against France during Paris 2024 Olympics at the Parc des Princes on August 9, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
In past Olympics, hosts have given athletes items like stuffed animals or bouquet of flowers, but Paris has taken a more artistic approach this time.
Australian paddler Jessica Fox, who took home two gold medals in canoe and kayak races, shared a glimpse of the keepsake on TikTok. “Usually, we get a mascot or flowers, but this time it’s something more unique, and I think it’s a really cool concept,” she said.
Fox revealed the vibrant poster with gold details, which matches the colour of the athlete's medal—gold, silver, or bronze.
Image: Paris2024 on X
In an article published on The Peninsula website on March 4, 2024, it mentioned that the art deco-style poster was created by renowned illustrator Ugo Gattoni, who spent six months deciding which colours to use, and more than 2,000 hours working on the poster's design and production.
In the same article, Joachim Roncin, the design director for the 2024 Paris Olympics, explained that he wanted the poster to be far more than just a logo and date. “I wanted something flamboyant, rich, and colourful,” he said, drawing inspiration from the art deco and art nouveau styles found throughout Paris in restaurants and subway entrances.
(From left) Silver medallist US' Kennedy Alexis Blades, gold medallist Japan's Yuka Kagami and bronze medallists Cuba's Milaimy De La Caridad Marin Potrille and Colombia's Tatiana Renteria Renteria pose for a selfie photo with their medals and posters at the presentation ceremony for the women's freestyle 76kg wrestling event at the Champ-de-Mars Arena during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Punit Paranjpe / AFP)
"Oh, that’s great because some athletes can’t bring flowers home due to flora and fauna restrictions at certain airports, said Clark. "It’s nice that they can frame and display the poster alongside their medals instead," he told The Peninsula.
Large versions of these posters can also be seen on billboards across Paris, adding to the Games' artistic flair. You can purchase the same poster from the website as well.
