Raritan NJ
8-09-2024 11:12pm

Ten Olympians from three editions of the Olympic Games awarded their Olympic medals during reallocation ceremony at Paris 2024

Ten Olympians who competed at Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and London 2012  on August 9, 2024 received their medals during a special reallocation ceremony taking place at the Champions Park in Paris. They enjoyed an emotional moment with family, friends, and fans in exactly the same setting where thousands of athletes have celebrated their achievements during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Medal reallocation plays an important role in upholding the Olympic values and rewarding those who stay true to the sport, and the IOC has been offering athletes the possibility to have a reallocation ceremony that recognizes their achievements and gives them exposure.

The Olympians were presented with their medals by Emma Terho, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member and IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) Chair, and IOC Member and five-time Olympic biathlon champion Martin Fourcade.

The athletes who received reallocated medals were:

  • Sydney 2000 – Athletics, Women’s 200m
    • Bronze: Beverly McDonald (Jamaica)
  • Beijing 2008 – Athletics, Women’s Long Jump
    • Bronze: Chelsea Hammond-Ross (Jamaica)
  • London 2012 – Weightlifting, Men’s 85kg
    • Bronze: Tarek Yehia Fouad Abdelazim (Egypt)
  • London 2012 – Athletics, Men’s High Jump
    • Gold: Erik Kynard (USA)
    • Silver: Derek Drouin (Canada)
  • London 2012 – Weightlifting, Men’s +105kg
    • Bronze: Sangguen Jeon (Republic of Korea)
  • London 2012 – Athletics, Women’s 1500m
    • Bronze: Abeba Aregawi (Ethiopia)
  • London 2012 – Athletics, Women’s 400m Hurdles
    • Gold: Lashinda Demus (USA)
    • Silver: Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic)
    • Bronze: Kaliese Spencer (Jamaica)

“These athletes competed fairly throughout their careers in the true spirit of the Olympic Games,” commented Terho after the ceremony. “I am pleased that we’ve been able to celebrate them in a location befitting their achievements, and that they have enjoyed a special experience with their families here in Paris.”

Olympic medal reallocation principles

The decision to include the Champions Park as an additional venue option for medal reallocation ceremonies was taken by the IOC Executive Board (EB) following a recommendation from the IOC AC in March 2024. This exceptional option was made available to athletes who already had their reallocation approved by the IOC EB before the Olympic Games Paris 2024, but who had not yet had their ceremony.

For more than six years, athletes whose reallocation has been approved can choose from one of six options for a medal reallocation ceremony, such as at the next edition of the Olympic Games or during a private ceremony.

All options are detailed in the Olympic Medal Reallocation Principles that were proposed by the IOC AC and approved by the IOC EB.

The reallocation of Olympic medals is not automatic, and is decided by the IOC on a case-by-case basis. If the IOC decides to reallocate Olympic medals, this takes place only after all remedies have been exhausted by the sanctioned athletes or teams, and once all procedures have been closed.

Iconic location

Located in Paris’s Trocadéro Gardens in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the Champions Park offered a fitting and unique venue for the athletes to enjoy their Olympic medal reallocation ceremony and to celebrate their achievements. Throughout the Olympic Games Paris 2024, thousands have gathered at the Champions Park, a first-of-its-kind venue for an Olympic Games that is open to the public free of charge.

Following their competitions, medal winners have headed to the venue to meet fans and take part in celebratory parades, creating a venue that embodies the Olympic spirit and the festival atmosphere of the Games. It has offered a unique opportunity for athletes to engage with fans and commemorate their success in an iconic location.

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