Concerned by Damage, Tara Davis-Woodhall Not Happy With Husband’s Medal Condition: “RIP”
Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis-Woodhall became a viral sensation during the Olympics, winning gold medals in their respective events—the 400-meter T62 and long jump—and capturing hearts with their emotional celebrations. The couple’s embrace in the stands after securing their victories made for an unforgettable moment, combining the joy of athletic achievement with heartfelt connection.
However, months after the Olympics, the couple is back in the spotlight for a less celebratory reason—the troubling condition of Hunter’s Olympic medal. The issue they now face is one shared by many Olympians: the degrading quality of their hard-earned medals.
On November 23rd, Hunter uploaded a video sharing how his gold medal was inadvertently damaged. In the video, Hunter explained that after winning the medal, he tried to protect it by wrapping the ribbon around it. However, this well-intentioned effort ended up damaging the ribbon instead. He warned fellow athletes to avoid doing the same, showing the visible damage in his video. The couple even humorously captioned their reel, “RIP to the ribbon.”
Tara Davis-Woodhall agreed with her husband’s warning, emphasizing how such damage can take away the novelty of the medal. She also showed her viewers her own medal, revealing that despite her efforts to take care of it, her medal had started to crack. This suggests that the issue goes beyond careless handling; there seems to be a flaw in the materials used. And they are not alone—many other Olympians have reported similar problems.
Cases of Other Olympic Athletes Facing the Same Problem
The couple’s plight echoes the experiences of numerous other athletes who have raised concerns about the quality of the medals. For instance, Nyjah Huston, who won bronze in skateboarding on July 29th, reported visible damage to his medal by early August. He shared an Instagram story about it, mentioning how just wearing the medal or letting friends handle it led to unexpected tarnishing.
The UK’s Yasmin Harper also faced issues with her bronze medal from the women’s springboard event, which began losing its color just days after her victory. According to her, even a drop of water could discolor the medal. These mounting complaints prompted the International Olympic Committee to respond, claiming they were investigating the causes of the damage and would work with the Paris Mint to address the issues. Unfortunately, there has yet to be any substantial follow-up, leaving athletes like Hunter and Tara without clear answers.
The uncertainty over these damaged medals underscores just how significant these symbols are. For athletes, these medals are not just pieces of metal; they represent years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. The fact that they are not built to last is both disappointing and a pressing issue the Olympic Committee needs to address.
