Less than a week after the conclusion of the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, athletes from multiple delegations have reported visible wear, surface scratches, and discoloration on their gold medals, reviving quality control concerns from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Medal Flaws and Protective Measures Reported by Champions
Chinese karate champion Li Qiaoqiao resorted to wrapping her gold medal in transparent plastic film preservation after normal handling caused visible surface scratches and color fading, as reported by China News Service. The issue quickly drew widespread public attention online as multiple champions shared unedited photographs of their awards. The medals were manufactured by the Japan Mint, which had promoted a double-inspection protocol prior to the competition. A similar peeling issue occurred during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
The organizing committee dispatched staff to the athlete’s hotel that same evening to complete a replacement, stating at the time that it was an isolated defect. The medals weigh 265 grams each, featuring a pure silver body with a one-gram gold plating layer derived from recycled mobile phones and small appliances, shaped with a design inspired by cut ceramic discs.
Organizers Confirm Gold Medal Replacement Requests
Organizers initially maintained that a two-tier inspection process—first by the Japan Mint during production and subsequently by the organizing committee upon delivery—would eliminate any visible exterior flaws before presentation. That account shifted after athletes publicly displayed damaged awards. Following reports from competitors such as South Korean skateboarder Kang Jun-i and several South Korean esports players who exhibited medals with whitish surfaces and distinct scratches, the organizing committee confirmed it received four gold medal replacement applications. Officials stated that one replacement had been completed while the remaining three were under review, though they were unable to determine at which stage the manufacturing flaws originated or disclose specific details regarding the plating thickness and process.
The situation closely mirrors the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes including Zhu Xueying and Wang Shun reported coating peeling on their medals. At the time, Tokyo 2020 organizers explained via CCTV that the peeling affected only a surface protective coating and did not impact the medal body. With Japan Mint producing the awards for both major international events, the recurring surface damage has drawn scrutiny over manufacturing specifications. While many historical multi-sport events apply up to six grams of gold plating to enhance durability, the Nagoya Asian Games medals feature a much thinner layer that shows wear from minor friction.
The sports equipment and commemorative items are typically handled by athletes for photographs and shared celebrations with family and friends, rendering sealed preservation methods contrary to their intended use.
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The surface wear on the medals impacts perceptions of manufacturing quality associated with Japanese industrial output, which has historically relied on precision craftsmanship in global markets. Hosting international competitions serves as a public demonstration of organizational capability and industrial standards, and consecutive quality issues in medal production during major events will likely factor into future evaluations by the Olympic Council of Asia.
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