Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have identified a technical solution to address a troublesome defect affecting some Olympic medals awarded in the opening days of competition and they’re now offering athletes a prompt repair service to preserve the symbolic value of their awards.
A number of medal winners at the Games had reported issues with their medals Milano coming apart shortly after presentation, with parts of the medal’s ribbon attachments or clasp detaching unexpectedly during celebrations.
Defects Cast Early Spotlight on Medals
The medal mishaps first drew public attention when U.S. downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson appeared at her post-event news conference holding her gold medal in pieces, with the ribbon disconnected from the medal itself. Moments of celebration including a jump after winning reportedly caused the breakage.
In addition to Johnson, several other athletes from different disciplines experienced similar problems:
- U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu showed her team event gold with the ribbon detached on social media,
- Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson had her silver medal break after it slipped off the ribbon and fell into the snow,
- German biathlete Justus Strelow reported his bronze medal splitting.
These incidents occurred despite the Games otherwise proceeding smoothly, with strong attendance and mostly positive feedback from athletes participating in the competitions.
Organizers Scramble for a Fix
Local organizers, working closely with the Italian State Mint (Zecca dello Stato) the institution responsible for producing the medals investigated the problems and identified the root cause as an issue with certain medal fixings, particularly where the ribbon attaches to the medal itself. In response, they implemented what officials called a targeted intervention to prevent further breakages.
Communication Director Luca Casassa said that only a limited number of medals were affected, and assured athletes that they could return any damaged medals through the appropriate channels for swift repair and return. The approach aims to ensure winners ultimately retain the highest quality mementos of their Milano Olympic achievements.
“The medals symbolize the pinnacle of every athlete’s journey,” Casassa said, underscoring the importance of preserving their integrity. “Milano Cortina 2026 confirms its commitment to ensuring that the medals meet the highest standards of quality and attention to detail.”
Fixes and Replacement Options
In many cases, athletes were offered replacements on the spot, while others were invited to hand in their medals for repair. Breezy Johnson, for example, received a new gold medal after her initial one failed during celebration, although engraving and final personalization would need to be completed subsequently.
Organizers have not specified exactly how many medals were affected, but emphasized that the issue arose in a small portion of all medals awarded so far. They also noted that the defect does Milano not alter the medals’ official design or material composition only the fastening mechanism that connects the ribbon to the medal itself.
Technical and Safety Considerations
The medal design which reflects artistic themes and the heritage of the Olympics also includes a breakaway mechanism in the ribbon for safety reasons. This feature, required under certain safety regulations to prevent choking hazards, appears to be linked to the clasp problems athletes experienced.
According to descriptions from various reports and athlete feedback, it was this breakaway segment of the medal’s attachment rather than the actual metal disc that represents gold, silver, or bronze that proved fragile when subjected to tension during jubilant post-victory moments.
Athlete Reactions and Broader Attention
The issue sparked conversations among competitors and fans alike. While many took the situation in stride even with a bit of humor on social media others voiced disappointment that a moment meant to be deeply memorable could be overshadowed by merchandise quality concerns. Milano
In one notable case, Breezy Johnson shared her experience with a broken medal on social platforms, highlighting how the ribbon and clasp separated during her celebration. Some athletes joked about avoiding exuberant movements with their medals, while others acknowledged the unusual nature of the incidents.
Despite the glitches, most athletes and officials have expressed broader satisfaction with how the Games have unfolded, ranging from competition logistics to fan engagement across the northern Italian venues. Milano
Preserving the Symbolism of Olympic Medals
Olympic medals hold deep emotional and symbolic significance for athletes representing years of training, sacrifice and personal achievement. As one of the ultimate honors in sport, they often play roles not only in athletes’ personal histories but also in national narratives. For organizers, the priority remains to ensure that the physical embodiment of that honor is worthy of its meaning.
The decision to recall and repair affected medals reflects an understanding that even rare defects are meaningful when they impact cherished moments of celebration on the world stage.
What’s Next
As the Winter Games progress, organizers continue to monitor all aspects of the events and venues from competition surfaces to ceremonial protocols. The medal repair initiative is one among several measures intended to uphold high standards for the Games’ operations and legacy. Milano
With the fix now in place and repair pathways clearly outlined, athletes who experienced early medal mishaps can look forward to receiving restored versions of their awards that stand the test of time both as precious keepsakes and as tangible reminders of Olympic success.
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