Winter Olympic officials have pledged to launch a full investigation into why medals at the Milano Cortina Games are repeatedly breaking, chipping, or cracking. This embarrassing issue for organisers has affected several high-profile athletes, including American downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson, who reported damage to her prized gold medal.
Multiple Athletes Report Medal Damage
Breezy Johnson's gold medal was chipped and cracked when it fell off shortly after the podium ceremony on Saturday. "I was jumping up and down in excitement, then it just fell off," Johnson told reporters, displaying her damaged medal in one hand while the separated ribbon hung around her neck.
Since Johnson's incident, other athletes have come forward with similar problems. Sweden's cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported that her medal "fell in the snow and broke in two," adding: "Now I hope the organisers have a 'plan B' for broken medals."
Germany's biathlete Justus Strelow has also confirmed that his bronze medal cracked and fell to the floor during celebrations. Meanwhile, US figure skater Alysa Liu posted on Instagram that the ribbon had detached from her team gold medal.
Organisers Promise Maximum Attention
When questioned about the mounting reports during a press conference on Monday, Milano Cortina's chief games operations officer Andrea Francisi stated: "We are fully aware of the situation and you have seen the pictures. We are looking into what exactly the problem is."
Francisi emphasised the importance of resolving the issue promptly, declaring: "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."
Potential Causes Under Scrutiny
Organisers have since suggested that the problem may originate from the medal's cord, which incorporates a legally required breakaway mechanism. This safety system is designed to release automatically if pulled with significant force, preventing potential choking hazards for the wearer.
This is not the first time Olympic medals have faced durability issues. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, organisers received more than two hundred requests for medal replacements, representing approximately four percent of all medals awarded at those summer games.
The investigation will examine manufacturing processes, material quality, and design specifications to determine why the Milano Cortina medals appear particularly vulnerable to damage during normal celebratory activities.
