Winter Olympics Medal Mystery: Why Are Athletes' Prizes Breaking?
Olympic officials are launching a thorough investigation into a puzzling issue at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy: why are medals cracking and breaking? Multiple athletes have reported damaged prizes, sparking concerns about the durability of these cherished symbols of achievement.
Athletes Share Their Broken Medal Experiences
American downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson experienced the problem firsthand when her medal cracked during celebrations. "I was jumping up and down in excitement, then it just fell off," she told reporters. Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported her medal "fell in the snow and broke in two," while German biathlete Justus Strelow saw his bronze medal crack on the floor during a team party.
The issue has become so widespread that American figure skater Alysa Liu had her medal replaced by organizers after it separated from its ribbon and dented on the floor. Liu's roommate, fellow gold medalist Ellie Kam, suggested the medal might be "a little too heavy for the ribbon," highlighting potential design flaws.
Design Features and Potential Causes
The Milan-Cortina medals feature a distinctive "discs of ice" design, consisting of two halves that join through Olympic and Paralympic symbols in the middle. These halves represent the individual athlete and the support network behind their success, with one frosted texture and one polished texture.
Several factors are being considered as potential causes:
- Ribbon Mechanism: The medals feature a breakaway mechanism on the ribbon that may be causing damage when athletes celebrate vigorously
- Weight Distribution: Gold medals weigh approximately 500 grams (1.1 pounds), containing 6 grams of gold, while bronze medals are slightly lighter at 420 grams
- Cold Weather Effects: The winter conditions may be making metal coatings more brittle and prone to chipping
- Material Composition: The specific alloys and manufacturing processes used for the medals
Official Response and Historical Context
Andrea Francisi, chief Games operations officer for Milan-Cortina 2026, addressed the situation directly: "We are fully aware of the situation and you have seen the pictures. We are looking into what exactly the problem is. We will pay maximum attention to the medals so that everything will be perfect because this is one of the most important things for the athletes."
This isn't the first time Olympic medals have faced quality issues. Paris 2024 Olympic medal winners reported problems with tarnished appearances and discoloration, though those issues differed from the current cracking and breaking concerns. The tradition of athletes biting their medals may need reconsideration given the apparent brittleness of the current designs.
Organizers are now working to identify the root cause while ensuring athletes receive properly functioning medals that can withstand the emotional celebrations they inspire. The investigation continues as more athletes come forward with similar experiences of their hard-won prizes failing to survive the victory moments they were designed to commemorate.
