During the opening weekend of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, celebratory moments quickly turned into an embarrassing situation for organizers as numerous medals sustained damage almost immediately. The organizing committee has acknowledged the issue and pledged a thorough investigation after a series of athletes reported their medals were cracked, broken, or detached from their ribbons.

American athlete Breezy Johnson with her gold medal for skiing at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, 8/2. *Photo: Reuters*

American athlete Breezy Johnson was among the first to publicly report the problem. After securing a gold medal in the downhill skiing event on 8/2, Johnson stated her medal cracked and chipped just minutes after the award ceremony. "I jumped up because I was so excited, and then it broke", she recounted, displaying the damaged medal to reporters.

Johnson's experience was not isolated. Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported her medal broke in half after falling into the snow. Similarly, German mixed relay biathlon team member Justus Strelow's bronze medal detached on live television as he celebrated with teammates. Strelow attempted to reattach it, but a small piece of the clasp had broken off and lay on the floor. In figure skating, Alysa Liu also shared a video on social media, revealing her team event gold medal had separated from its official ribbon. "My medal doesn't need a strap", Liu wrote, with a touch of humor.

Athletes with damaged medals.

In response to public concern, Andrea Francisi, CEO for operations at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games, confirmed the organizing committee's awareness of the situation. He stated that all images and videos were under review. "A medal represents an athlete's dream, requiring every detail to be perfect at the moment of presentation", he remarked. "We are actively investigating to determine any technical issues. The organizing committee will soon identify the root cause." Initial explanations from the organizing committee suggest the problem may stem from the medal's ribbon and its safety clasp mechanism, rather than the metal itself. The ribbon incorporates a breakaway system, a legal requirement designed to prevent choking if pulled forcefully. Paradoxically, this safety feature could be causing medals to detach during athletes' enthusiastic celebrations, such as jumping or vigorous movements, resulting in them falling and sustaining damage.

The Milano-Cortina incident draws parallels to similar controversies at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where hundreds of athletes sought medal replacements. Their medals had tarnished and rusted, developing blotches described as resembling crocodile skin. Statistics show over 200 medals in Paris required replacement, accounting for approximately 4% of all medals awarded.

Hoang An (based on Guardian, AP)