Olympic Organizers Investigate Medals Breaking at Winter Games

Olympic organizers at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are investigating reports of medals breaking during post-event celebrations, after several athletes discovered their medals had detached from their ribbons within hours of being awarded.

The issue surfaced over the opening weekend of the Games, prompting concern among athletes and officials alike. Organizers said they are examining the problem with what they described as “maximum attention,” emphasizing the importance of the medals to competitors who have worked years to reach the Olympic podium.

Breezy Johnson Shares Firsthand Experience

Among those affected was American alpine skier Breezy Johnson, who won gold in the women’s downhill on Sunday. Johnson revealed shortly after her victory that her medal had broken during her celebration.

“Don’t jump in them. I was jumping in excitement, and it broke,” Johnson said after her win. “I’m sure somebody will fix it. It’s not crazy broken, but a little broken.”

Johnson’s comments quickly circulated as other athletes began sharing similar experiences, raising questions about the durability of the medals and their attachments.

Broadcast Moment Highlights the Problem

Television footage broadcast in Germany captured one of the more visible moments tied to the issue. Biathlete Justus Strelow, who won bronze in the mixed relay, was seen dancing with teammates when his medal fell off the ribbon around his neck and clattered to the floor.

As his teammates cheered, Strelow attempted to reattach the medal before realizing that a small piece, believed to be the clasp, had broken off and remained on the floor. The moment, while lighthearted, underscored the growing concern surrounding the medals’ construction.

Athletes Turn to Social Media

The issue also extended beyond in-person celebrations. U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu posted a video clip on social media showing her team event gold medal separated from its official ribbon.

“My medal don’t need the ribbon,” Liu wrote early Monday, drawing further attention to the situation as fans and fellow athletes reacted online.

The growing number of incidents suggested the problem was not isolated to a single sport or medal ceremony.

Organizers Respond and Review Design

Andrea Francisi, chief games operations officer for the Milan Cortina organizing committee, acknowledged the issue and said officials were actively working to understand what went wrong.

“We are aware of the situation, we have seen the images. Obviously, we are trying to understand in detail if there is a problem,” Francisi said Monday.

He emphasized the symbolic importance of Olympic medals and the responsibility organizers feel to ensure the moment remains flawless for athletes.

“But obviously we are paying maximum attention to this matter, as the medal is the dream of the athletes, so we want that obviously in the moment they are given it that everything is absolutely perfect, because we really consider it to be the most important moment. So we are working on it,” Francisi said.

Focus on Fixes as Games Continue

While no injuries were reported and the medals themselves appeared largely intact, the detachment of ribbons and clasps has prompted scrutiny at a time when the Games are just getting underway. Officials have not yet announced whether replacement ribbons or design adjustments will be implemented moving forward.

As competition continues across northern Italy, organizers are aiming to resolve the issue quickly to ensure future medal ceremonies proceed without incident.

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