As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milano-Cortina, reports of broken medals have raised eyebrows among athletes and organisers alike. Just days into the Games, several competitors have experienced problems with their newly awarded medals, prompting a swift response from event officials who are now looking into the issue.
Medal Breakdown Sparks Concern
Breezy Johnson, an alpine ski racing gold medallist for Team USA, was among the first to highlight the issue during a press conference. Johnson showcased her medal to a gathering of reporters, revealing that the ribbon had detached from the medal shortly after its presentation. “So there’s the medal. And there’s the ribbon,” she noted, holding both components up for clarity. “Here’s the little piece that is supposed to go into the ribbon to hold the medal, and yeah, it came apart.”
Excitedly recounting her victory, Johnson added, “I was jumping up and down in excitement, then it just fell off.” While she reassured the audience that it was not irreparably damaged, she did advise fellow athletes to be cautious, stating, “It’s not like crazy broken, but it’s a little broken.”
A Chain of Broken Medals
Johnson wasn’t alone in her experience. Alysa Liu, another gold medallist from Team USA in figure skating, also reported a similar mishap. In an Instagram video, Liu playfully remarked, “My medal don’t need the ribbon,” while showing off the separated components. Her roommate, Ellie Kam, noted that Liu’s excitement led to the medal sustaining “a couple of dents” after it fell while she was jubilantly jumping up and down. “The medal is a little bit too heavy for the ribbon, I think, so it just popped off,” Kam explained. Fortunately, Liu had her medal replaced shortly thereafter.
In another incident, German athlete Justus Strelow’s medal broke apart during a celebratory moment with his biathlon team. A video captured the moment it detached and fell to the ground as he jumped in joy, leading him to question the durability of the awards with a cheeky caption: “Hey Olympics, what’s up with those medals? Are they not meant to be celebrated?”
Adding to the growing catalogue of incidents was Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson, who revealed that her silver medal “fell in the snow and broke in two” during a victory lap. “Now I hope the organisers have a Plan B for broken medals,” she quipped, highlighting the increasing concern among athletes.
Organisers Respond to Concerns
In light of these incidents, Andrea Francisi, the chief Games operations officer for Milano-Cortina 2026, acknowledged the situation in a statement to the BBC. “We are fully aware of the situation,” he confirmed. “We are looking into exactly what the problem is. We are going to pay maximum attention to the medals, and obviously, this is something we want to be perfect when the medal is handed over because this is one of the most important moments for the athletes.”
Reports suggest that the issue may be linked to the medals’ cord, which is equipped with a breakaway mechanism mandated by law to prevent choking hazards. This mechanism is designed to release under force, but it appears to be causing unintended consequences during moments of celebration.
Why it Matters
The integrity of the medals awarded at the Winter Olympics is crucial, not just as symbols of achievement but as cherished mementoes for athletes who have dedicated their lives to their sport. The current issues with medal durability could overshadow the remarkable accomplishments of competitors and raise questions about the quality control measures in place. As the Games progress, ensuring that these tokens of success meet the expectations of athletes and fans alike will be essential for the integrity of the Olympic experience.
