French luxury conglomerate LVMH is denying reports that it is responsible for deteriorating and rusting Olympic medals that were handed out to athletes during the Summer Games in Paris last year.
Chaumet, the high-end jeweler that is owned by corporate parent LVMH, has turned into the butt of jokes in France after more than 100 athletes who won the bronze medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics asked for replacements.
But a spokesperson for LVMH told The Post that while Chaumet was responsible for the medal design, neither Chaumet nor LVMH were involved in their production.
The Monnaie de Paris, the French mint responsible for producing the medals, has admitted to a technical flaw in the varnish applied to prevent oxidation.
The organization cited a change in its formula due to recent European Union regulations banning the use of chromium trioxide, a chemical previously used to protect against rust.
“That responsibility lies solely with La Monnaie de Paris and the International Olympic Committee,” an LVMH spokesperson told The Post, adding: “LVMH has no connection to this aspect of the process and will not be commenting on this matter.”
LVMH, which is controlled by the family of multibillionaire Bernard Arnault, was a major sponsor of the Summer Games in Paris.
The backlash began when French swimmers Clément Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard posted photos of their bronze medals on social media, revealing a surface that appeared to be peeling.
Secchi described the medal as resembling “crocodile skin.”
The company made its presence felt during the competition — from outfitting athletes to supplying Moët & Chandon champagne in VIP lounges.
Nick Itkin, a US Olympic fencer, also reported that his bronze medal had begun to deteriorate just days after receiving it.
This is not the first time that Olympic medals handed out to athletes have fallen apart.
After the 2016 Rio Olympics, approximately 6,000 medals had to be replaced due to defects, including rusting, flaking coatings, and black spots appearing on the surfaces.
The Brazilian mint, which produced the medals, attributed the issues to extreme heat, handling conditions and flaws in the manufacturing process.
During the Paris Games, Chaumet, which is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, refined designs and deep ties to European royalty, showcased the yearlong effort to craft the medals, which included incorporating a piece of the Eiffel Tower at the center of each award.
But that didn’t stop the bronze medals from rusting.
The medals began showing signs of deterioration shortly after being awarded this past summer.
The International Olympic Committee has since issued an apology and pledged to provide replacements.
