Paris Olympics medals to contain 'piece of Eiffel Tower

The medals awarded at this year's Paris Olympics and Paralympics will feature a hexagon-shaped piece of iron taken from the original Eiffel Tower in their center, organizers said as they unveiled their design on Thursday.

All 5,084 gold, silver and bronze medals for the Paris Games will feature the six-edged metal medallion which will be set like a gemstone under a design by elite French jewellry house Chaumet.

The Eiffel Tower is set to have a central role during the Games which will run from 26th July to 11th August and the Paralympics from August 28th August to 8th September.