Here's what Olympic gold medals are actually made from

Why do athletes dig their teeth in medals after a victory? Quite simply, biting medals is a press-pleasing tradition. It is thought to be inspired by the US Gold Rush when miners needed to check nuggets for soft gold as opposed to fool’s gold.

Weighing between 500g and 800g, gold medals are actually made from silver coated with at least 6g of pure gold. A ‘gold’ medal’s value depends on global markets, but those issued in Rio in 2016 were estimated to be worth over £360 each.

The 5,084 medals for the 2024 Tokyo Olympics are partly made from recycled metals – including scrap metal from the Eiffel Tower taken during refurbishments and repairs.

"It's the opportunity for the athletes to bring back a piece of Paris with them," said Thierry Reboul, creative director of Paris 2024. "The absolute symbol of Paris and France is the Eiffel Tower."

Read more about athletic science:

• How do horses get to the Olympics?
• Animal Olympics: 9 species that could smash human world records
• Is there a physical limit to how much food you can eat in one sitting?
• The unique bond between a Paralympian and their guide