What's in the Olympic medal winners' cardboard box?

Coco YoshizawaImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Japanese skateboarding star Coco Yoshizawa with her gold medal and her mysterious carboard box

If you've been watching the Olympics, many of the world's top athletes have made a great start to the Games so far.

We've been keeping an eye on the medal ceremonies for the bling, of course, but have you noticed when athletes have a medal hung around their necks, they are handed something else too?

It's a long cardboard box with no markings on it...

So what is it? Well, it's a very special Paris-themed poster.

Paris 2024 poster for medal winners

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The poster was designed by illustrator Ugo Gatton

When you open the box and unfurl the poster, it shows a cartoon version of Paris, with a picture of a big red Eiffel Tower and Paris' main river, the Seine, surrounded by sports taking place.

It also has the words XXXIII Olympiade referencing the fact that Paris 2024 is the 33rd edition of the Games.

Designed by illustrator Ugo Gattoni, the aim of the artwork is to show the full story of the Paris 2024 games.

Athletes also get a plush version of this summer's mascot as a cuddly toy, and don't forget the medals themselves which include tiny pieces of Eiffel Tower!