Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have encountered an unusual problem: several of the medals awarded on the podium are breaking or coming apart shortly after being presented. What was meant to be a triumphant moment for competitors has instead turned into mixed reactions and quality concerns, prompting official scrutiny of the medals themselves.
Athletes Report Medal Breakages
Multiple competitors from different sports have reported issues with their Olympic medals soon after receiving them:
- American skier Breezy Johnson, who won gold in alpine skiing, joked that her medal only lasted about 15 minutes before breaking during celebration after jumping with it.
- Figure skater Alysa Liu shared that her medal’s ribbon detached as she celebrated.
- A German biathlete also reported medal damage during his festivities.
The incidents have become visible in games coverage and have sparked discussion among athletes, officials, and fans alike.
Organizers Respond to Quality Concerns
The Milan-Cortina Games Organizing Committee has acknowledged the problem and said it is taking the matter seriously. Officials are actively investigating why medals are breaking, with early suggestions that components of the medal design — including a breakaway ribbon mechanism — may be contributing to structural fragility.
Olympic medals are crafted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), a specialist mint responsible for designing and manufacturing the 2026 medals in a symbolic design that celebrates athletic achievement and Italian craftsmanship. However, even with careful design, unforeseen weaknesses have emerged under celebratory handling.
What Athletes Are Saying
While some competitors expressed amusement at the odd situation, others have urged caution when handling the medals. Breezy Johnson — who experienced perhaps the most dramatic breakage — warned teammates not to “jump in them” for fear of further damage.
Meanwhile, the broader athletic community has watched with curiosity and concern as the unusual medal issue unfolds, reminding viewers that the Olympics — even at the highest level — can hold unexpected moments beyond the competition results.
Broader Context
This isn’t the first time quality concerns have surrounded Olympic medals. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, a number of medal recipients requested replacements after issues with material durability. Organizers at Milan-Cortina have pledged to learn from past events and ensure that medals remain a proud and lasting symbol for athletes.
What Comes Next
As the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics continue, officials say they are focused on addressing the issue and maintaining the prestige and symbolic importance of Olympic medals. With athletes determined to make the rest of their Games count, this unusual twist — part tradition, part controversy — has become one of the early talking points of the 2026 Winter Games.
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