Paris Olympic relay gold medal listed for auction

Ever wondered how much it would cost to own an Olympic gold medal from the Paris 2024 Games? You may soon have an answer. A gold medal from the mixed 4x400m relay was listed by Texas-based collectibles giant Heritage Auctions, with current bids nearing C$30,000.

The medal was won by Dutch sprinter Eugene Omalla, who ran the opening leg of the Netherlands’ gold-medal-winning relay team. Omalla was a late addition to the team after national 400m record holder Liemarvin Bonevacia withdrew due to injury before the Games.

Omalla earned the medal alongside teammates Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink and Femke Bol, who delivered an anchor leg to remember,  surging from fourth to first to win the Netherlands’ first of two golds in athletics. The second came courtesy of Sifan Hassan in the women’s marathon.

While the reason for Omalla’s Olympic medal being auctioned off has not been disclosed, it’s not unusual for athletes to part ways with their medals or other items for charitable causes or personal reasons.

What makes the Paris 2024 medals especially unique is their design. Each medal features a hexagonal centrepiece crafted from 18 grams of iron taken directly from the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing France’s national identity and Paris itself. The medal’s edge is engraved with “Athlétisme, Relais 4x400m Mixte,” and it is reportedly in mint condition.

The auction runs until Tuesday, May 13, at 8 p.m. ET. Heritage Auctions estimates the medal could reach as much as US$80,000 (approximately C$110,000).