Irish Olympian Daire Lynch has revealed that he had his bronze medal taken from him because of a "chronic issue" that has seen the prize deteriorate.
The rower, who finished third with partner Philip Doyle, has said Games chiefs have taken the medal back because it was falling apart.
And speaking on Irish TV this morning, the pair said that they know gold medals are also being impacted. "Mine is gone, wrecked. It's nearly gone the next layer down,” Doyle said.
While Lynch said: "I wanted to keep mine but they wanted to take it away for research. They want to see what is wrong with the medals." Doyle then added: "Some of the gold but not too many but the bronze seems to be a chronic issue."
The core layer of the medals have been made with silver - explaining why no second-place finishers seem to have been impacted. Medals also feature a piece of the Eiffel Tower at the back with an inscription of the event and athlete at its base.
During the Games Team GB diver Yasmin Harper confirmed that medals were already deteriorating before athletes had even left Paris.
Britain's first podium finisher of the Games said her bronze had become “a little bit tarnished” and “discoloured” after American skateboarder Nyjah Huston first highlighted the dodgy quality of his on social media.
Harper won the medal in the 3m synchronised springboard on the opening day of the Games alongside partner Scarlett Mew Jensen. And having finished fifth in the individual event on the penultimate day of action, the 24-year-old said her precious prize was already worse for little wear.
"There's been some small bits of tarnishing I will admit, yes," she said. "I've looked at mine. It's like water or anything that gets on the metal is making it go a little discoloured. I'm not sure."
Asked if that was bothering her, Harper added: "No, because it's still a medal."
Ireland won a record seven medals in Paris, including four gold medals. Team GB captured 65 medals during the Games, which was nearing the upper limit of the target set by funding body UK Sport. However a return of only 14 golds has been described as below expectations.
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