The medals were presented to the Olympians by Emma Terho, member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and Martin Fourcade, also an IOC member and five-time Olympic biathlon champion.
The athletes who were re-awarded a medal are:
- 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
- Or : Erik Kynard (USA)
- Argent : Derek Drouin (Canada)
- London 2012 – Weightlifting, Men’s +105kg
- Bronze: Jeon Sangguen (Republic of Korea)
- London 2012 – Athletics, Women’s 1500m
- Bronze: Abeba Aregawi (Ethiopia)
- London 2012 – Athletics, Women’s 400m Hurdles
- Or : Lashinda Demus (USA)
- Silver: Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic)
- Bronze: Kaliese Spencer (Jamaica)
“These athletes have competed fairly throughout their careers, in the true spirit of the Olympic Games,” said Emma Terho after the ceremony. “I am pleased that we were able to celebrate them in a venue that was worthy of their achievements and that they were able to enjoy a special experience with their families here in Paris.”
Principles for the reallocation of Olympic medals
The decision to include the Parc des Champions as an additional venue for medal re-allocation ceremonies was taken by the IOC Executive Board following a recommendation made by the IOC Athletes’ Commission in March 2024. This exceptional opportunity is offered to athletes for whom re-allocation has been approved by the IOC Executive Board prior to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, but who have not benefited from any ceremony so far.
For more than six years, athletes whose medal reallocation has been approved have been able to choose one of six options for a reallocation ceremony, for example at the next Olympic Games or in a private ceremony.
All available options are detailed in the Principles for the Reallocation of Olympic Medals, as proposed by the IOC Athletes’ Commission and approved by the Executive Board.
The reallocation of Olympic medals is not automatic. It is determined by the IOC on a case-by-case basis. If the IOC decides to reallocation Olympic medals, this reallocation will only take place once all possible avenues of appeal by the sanctioned athletes or teams have been exhausted, i.e. when all procedures have been closed.
An emblematic place
Located in the Trocadéro Gardens in Paris, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the Parc des Champions provides an ideal stage for athletes to enjoy their Olympic medal re-award ceremony and celebrate their achievements. Throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, thousands of people have gathered at the Parc des Champions, a unique venue for the Olympic Games, open to the public free of charge.
After their competitions, medallists travel to this venue to meet their fans and take part in celebratory parades, creating a place that embodies the Olympic spirit and festive atmosphere of the Games. This venue offers athletes a unique opportunity to celebrate their success with their fans in an iconic location.
