Concerns Over Medals at 2026 Winter Olympics: A Crack in the System?
Reports are flooding in from athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina that their newly awarded medals are cracking, chipping or breaking during post-competition celebrations. The issue has prompted organizers to launch an investigation into the cause of the damage, with several incidents already circulating on social media and in news coverage.
The problem appears to be widespread, with athletes from different sports and countries experiencing similar issues. American downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson was among the first to draw attention to the issue after her gold medal fell off during celebrations, while Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported that her silver medal "fell in the snow and broke in two." German biathlete Justus Strelow also experienced problems when his bronze medal cracked after falling off its ribbon.
The medals used at Milan-Cortina feature a minimalist design intended to resemble "discs of ice," made from two halves joined through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols at the center. Each medal has contrasting textures, with one frosted surface and one polished. While organizers have not specified the exact cause of the damage, they have hinted that it may be related to the weight of the medals combined with the ribbon's breakaway safety mechanism.
Cold temperatures may also be playing a role, potentially making the metal coating more brittle and more vulnerable. The issue is reminiscent of similar concerns raised at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where athletes reported tarnishing and discoloration of medals. In that case, organizers replaced damaged medals.
The Milano-Cortina Media Relations Team has issued a statement saying that officials are taking the complaints seriously and have identified a solution to the problem. Athletes whose medals have been affected are encouraged to return them through the appropriate channels so that they can be promptly repaired and returned. The Organizing Committee remains committed to ensuring that medals meet the highest standards of quality and care.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, it will be interesting to see how this issue is resolved and whether the organizers are able to provide athletes with reliable and durable medals.
Reports are flooding in from athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina that their newly awarded medals are cracking, chipping or breaking during post-competition celebrations. The issue has prompted organizers to launch an investigation into the cause of the damage, with several incidents already circulating on social media and in news coverage.
The problem appears to be widespread, with athletes from different sports and countries experiencing similar issues. American downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson was among the first to draw attention to the issue after her gold medal fell off during celebrations, while Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported that her silver medal "fell in the snow and broke in two." German biathlete Justus Strelow also experienced problems when his bronze medal cracked after falling off its ribbon.
The medals used at Milan-Cortina feature a minimalist design intended to resemble "discs of ice," made from two halves joined through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols at the center. Each medal has contrasting textures, with one frosted surface and one polished. While organizers have not specified the exact cause of the damage, they have hinted that it may be related to the weight of the medals combined with the ribbon's breakaway safety mechanism.
Cold temperatures may also be playing a role, potentially making the metal coating more brittle and more vulnerable. The issue is reminiscent of similar concerns raised at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where athletes reported tarnishing and discoloration of medals. In that case, organizers replaced damaged medals.
The Milano-Cortina Media Relations Team has issued a statement saying that officials are taking the complaints seriously and have identified a solution to the problem. Athletes whose medals have been affected are encouraged to return them through the appropriate channels so that they can be promptly repaired and returned. The Organizing Committee remains committed to ensuring that medals meet the highest standards of quality and care.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, it will be interesting to see how this issue is resolved and whether the organizers are able to provide athletes with reliable and durable medals.
and I'm like what's wrong with these medals?! They're literally cracking and breaking after being awarded 
I don't get it. The design sounds cool but if they can't even make the medals last then what's the point? 
I know athletes are super busy and stuff, but come on! Can't we just have reliable medals for once?! 
It's like the excitement and relief of finally achieving your goal is replaced by frustration and disappointment. The fact that this is happening in multiple countries and sports makes me wonder if there was a design flaw from the start or if it's just a coincidence. Either way, I hope they get to the bottom of it ASAP and fix it so athletes can enjoy their medals without any issues 
.
just had to dig into why all those Olympic medals are breaking like that 
i mean, i love a good design as much as the next person, but come on! 
the minimalist look is cute, but if it's gonna chip and break that easily, what's the point? 
at least they're trying to fix it tho 
fingers crossed they get it sorted out before it becomes a bigger issue 
so hopefully the organizers can figure out whats going on and fix it soon before more medals break
It's just weird.
shouldnt be happenin at all... but i guess cold tempers might b causin it 
tho...
i feel bad for breezy johnson & ebba andersson, like their medals just fell apart on them during celebrations 
can you imagine?! 
. The design of these medals looks sketchy from the start, but who cares about that now? We've got athletes crying foul and the orgs scrambling to fix the problem 
i mean, i know they're made of metal or whatever but still... it's just weird. 
and I'm like omg what's going on?! 
medals shattering under the weight of social media likes 
and i hope the organizers can fix this problem ASAP 
because let's be real, medals are kinda a big deal 
the orgs need to get it together & figure out what's really going on here 
. and now athletes are complaining that they're cracking or chipping off? come on, can't they just use some good old fashioned gold plating like they used to? 
. anyway, hope they sort this mess out before the next games come around...or better yet, make them use some actual metal or something 
. I'm no expert, but maybe they should've tested those medals a bit more before handing them out? IDK, just seems like a bummer all around