The medals at this year's Olympics in Paris were not only inspired by the Eiffel Tower -- they each contain an original piece of the 19th-century landmark.
EMPLOYEES PERFORM AN EXTRA 280 HOURS OF UNPAID WORK PER YEAR. >> TALK ABOUT A MONUMENTAL PRIZE OF THIS YEAR'S OLYMPIC MEDALS WILL CONTAIN AN ACTUAL CHUNK OF IRON FROM THE EIFFEL TOWER. THE ORGANIZERS OF THE PARIS GAMES REVEALED THE REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN THIS MORNING. EACH GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE MEDAL IS SHAPED LIKE A HEXAGON WHICH REPRESENTS THE SHAPE OF THE COUNTRY. THE CENTER OF EACH METAL CONTAINS A POLISHED PIECE OF IRON FROM THE ICONIC LANDMARK. THE IRON WAS CUT FROM GIRDERS AND OTHER BITS THAT WERE SWAPPED OUT OF THE EIFFEL TOWER DURING RENOVATIONS AND STORED FOR SAFEKEEPING. REMEMBER, WRAL IS YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR THE PARIS OLYMPICS WHICH RUN JULY.