Chait Goli
The upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris promises to showcase athletic prowess and intertwine with France’s rich cultural heritage. In a nod to tradition and innovation, the Eiffel Tower’s iconic puddled iron will be used to produce the Olympic medals. This imaginative initiative marries the legacy of one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks with the prestige of Olympic achievement.
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 1924 Paris Olympics
The 5,084 gold, silver, and bronze medals for the 2024 events will be minted in the heart of Paris by the Monnaie de Paris, the governmental institution responsible for producing French coins since 864 AD. This endeavour commemorates the centenary of Parisian craftsmanship in medal minting, marking 100 years since the medals for the 1924 games were created. This project not only honours the legacy of the Eiffel Tower but also celebrates the milestone of Parisian artistry in the minting of medals.
“It’s an opportunity for the athletes to bring back a piece of Paris with them. The absolute symbol of Paris and France is the Eiffel Tower,” said Thierry Reboul, creative director of Paris 2024.
How Much of the Eiffel Tower Will Be Used to Produce the Medals?
With this in mind, at Unik SEO, we set out to find out two things: the fraction of the Eiffel Tower used in each medal and the maximum number of medals that could be manufactured. We followed a series of simple calculations and unit conversions to achieve these goals, which we explain below.
Step 1: Knowing the Weight of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is an imposing cast iron structure weighing approximately 10,100,000 kilograms or 10,100 metric tonnes. Its colossal weight underlines the monumental task of incorporating its iron into Olympic medals.
Step 2: Knowing Medal Specifications
Each Olympic medal has a weight of around 500 grams, which is equivalent to 0.5 kilograms.
Step 3: Calculating the Fraction
To find out the fraction of the Eiffel Tower used in each medal, we divide the weight of one medal by the total weight of the Eiffel Tower.
Calculation:
Fraction per medal = 0.5 kg (medal weight) 10,100,000 kg (total weight Eiffel Tower)≈0.00000.495
Result:
The calculation produces a fraction of approximately 0.00000495. This means that each medal contains only about 0.00000495% of the total weight of the Eiffel Tower. This tiny fraction illustrates the insignificant impact on the structure of the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its symbolic meaning.
Calculating the Total Number of Medals that Could be Produced Using the Entire Eiffel Tower
Step 1: Revisiting the Eiffel Tower’s Weight
The total available material from the Eiffel Tower is 10,100,000 kilograms or 10,100 metric tonnes. This provides a substantial base for our theoretical calculations.
Step 2: Medal Weight Again
As established, each medal requires 0.5 kilograms of material.
Step 3: Calculating the Total Number of Medals
To determine the number of medals that could theoretically be made from the Eiffel Tower, we divide the total available material by the weight needed for one medal.
Calculation:
Total number of medals = 1,1000,000kg0.5 /per medal)
Result:
The result is that theoretically, 20,200,000 medals could be produced using the total weight of the Eiffel Tower. This staggering number highlights the enormous production potential and underscores the efficient use of resources.
A Symbolic Initiative
These calculations reveal the minimal impact on the Eiffel Tower’s structure if its material were to be used for Olympic medals. At the same time, they demonstrate the immense potential for production, highlighting the practicality and symbolism behind this initiative. Using the iron from the Eiffel Tower, the 2024 Olympics will create unique and meaningful awards for athletes and forge a tangible connection between Paris’ iconic monument and the Olympic heritage.
This initiative hones historic craftsmanship and incorporates a piece of Parisian identity into a global sporting celebration. The 5,084 gold, silver, and bronze medals for the upcoming events will be minted in the heart of Paris by the Monnaie de Paris, celebrating the centenary of its artisanal production since the 1924 Games.
By merging the legacy of the Eiffel Tower with the grandeur of the Olympics, Paris 2024 is set to create a lasting impression on both participants and spectators, ensuring that the medals are symbols of athletic achievement and tokens of Parisian heritage.
Be sure to also check out our report on: “EURO 2024: National Teams with the Most “Foreign” Players“
