Winter Olympics 2026 Hit by Medal Damage Controversy
The organizers of Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 have launched an investigation. It happened after several athletes reported that their medals were damaged during celebrations. The report has created an early controversy for the Games. The controversy raised more concerns when images and videos started circulating online. The videos showed chipped medals and detached ribbons, which prompted swift scrutiny of the medal design and production process.
Milano Cortina Chief Games Operations Officer Andrea Francisi has acknowledged the issue on Monday. He said that, “We are fully aware of the situation, and you have seen the pictures. We are looking into what exactly the problem is”. He added that organizers would give “maximum attention to the medals … so that everything will be perfect because this is one of the most important things for the athletes”.
The pressure had intensified further when multiple high-profile competitors publicly shared their experiences. USA downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson, American figure skating gold medalist Alysa Liu, German biathlete bronze winner Justus Strelow, and Sweden’s cross-country silver medallist Ebba Andersson are among those affected.
Athletes Flag Damage in the Medal During Celebrations
Johnson explained that her medal cracked while she was celebrating her win. “Don’t jump in them. I was jumping in excitement, and it broke”, she said after her victory on Sunday. “I’m sure somebody will fix it. It’s not crazy broken, but a little broken”. Similarly, Strelow’s bronze medal was also got damaged after it slipped from its ribbon. He was dancing when it fell to the floor during a live German television broadcast.
Meanwhile, Alysa Liu highlighted a different issue. She posted a video on Instagram showing her gold medal, which was detached from its official ribbon. She wrote, sarcastically, “My medal doesn’t need the ribbon”. As a result, questions have grown not only about durability but also about how the medals are secured.
IOC Under Pressure Over Medal Design and Quality Control
According to the sources, the problem may stem from the medal cord, which includes a legally required breakaway mechanism. This system allows the cord to release under force, which reduces the choking risks. However, while the safety feature serves a clear purpose, it may also make the medals more vulnerable during energetic celebrations.
The medals themselves feature a minimalist design which was inspired by “discs of ice”, that formed by two joined halves. These halves symbolize the athlete and the support network behind them, which includes family, coaches, and teammates. Each medal combines frosted and polished textures. Gold and silver medals weigh about 500 grams and contain six grams of gold, while bronze medals weigh roughly 420 grams.
Notably, this is not the first time Olympic medals have drawn criticism. During the Paris 2024 Games, around 200 medals were replaced because of defects. Consequently, the IOC now faces renewed questions over quality control. It’s an issue that it could have done without ahead of Milano-Cortina 2026.
Web Resources on the Winter Olympics Medal Controversy 2026
1. Guardian.com: Winter Olympic officials to investigate why medals keep breaking
2. FirstPost.com: Medal mishap at Milano Cortina 2026
3. BBC.com: Olympic bosses investigate why medals are breaking