Olympians who win this year will end up taking home so much more than just a medal
The 2024 Olympic Games are well and truly in full swing this week following a star-studded - yet rather rainy - opening ceremony on Friday night.
And after Team GB today bagged themselves their first gold of the sporting tournament in Paris, spectators have been left wondering whether winners might take home anything other than the hefty Olympic medals.
And it turns out, they do...
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As we say, this year's British athletes have gotten off to a strong start in the games so far.
On Day 1 (Saturday 27 July), women's 3m synchro divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen elated viewers in the French capital's crowds and at home after claiming a bronze.
Their success was quickly followed by women's kayaking frontrunner Kimberley Woods, who on Day 2 (Sun 28) took the same third place prize in a stunning victory.
Swimmer Adam Peaty also bagged himself an accolade yesterday, after narrowly missing out to Italy in the men's 100m breaststroke final, and was therefore awarded a silver.
And earlier today, men's 10m synchro partners Tom Daley and Noah Williams took the second place prize in another impressive achievement after China clinched the gold.
Bringing home Britain's first gold this year is Laura Collett, who today (Mon 29) beat both France and Japan in the final round of showjumping.
As we say, however, it isn't just the 529g medals that first place winners get to take home this year.
In fact, any and all Olympians who are presented with a gold medal are also gifted someone else, a symbol of the city in which the games are hosted.
We are, of course, talking about a tiny piece of the Eiffel Tower.
The Parisian landmark has already played a major role in this year's games, with the tower bearing the five Olympic rings lit up during Friday night's festivities, with the official commencement being announced on the Trocadero - the tower's famous viewing platform.
On top of this, there's actually a special part of the tower - which was removed during 20th century renovations - which has been implemented into the gold medals.
A handful of the original iron pieces of the power were placed into storage following their renovation in the 1900s, and have since been dug out and placed in a hexagonal figure in the middle of the Olympic gold medal.
According to several reports, including from The Athletic, a precise amount of 0.04 pounds of iron renovation pieces from the original tower are included in each winning accolade.
Team GB medal count - 6
Gold medalists
- Ros Canter, Tom McEwen and Laura Collett: Eventing team
Silver medalists
- Anna Henderson: Cycling - Women's individual time trial
- Adam Peaty: Swimming - Men's 100m breaststroke
- Tom Daley and Noah Williams: Men's synchronised 10m platform
Bronze medalists
- Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen: Diving - Women's synchronised 3m springboard
- Kimberley Woods: Canoe - Women's slalom
Rhianna Benson