Athletes report broken medals at Winter Olympics

A surprising controversy has emerged at the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, but this time it isn’t on the slopes, it’s with the medals themselves. Several athletes have reported that their medals fractured, fell apart, or detached from their ribbons shortly after the victory ceremonies, prompting urgent scrutiny from organisers.

American alpine skier Breezy Johnson revealed that her gold medal broke during post‑victory celebrations, with the ribbon connection failing as she jumped in excitement. “Don’t jump in them,” she joked, highlighting the unexpected fragility of the keepsake. Similarly, U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu posted that her team event medal detached from its ribbon, while German biathlete Justus Strelow struggled to reattach his bronze after the clasp snapped.

Organisers say they are investigating the issue, focusing on whether the ribbon attachment mechanism, a key structural element, may be weaker than intended. The medals’ design, meant to represent athletes and their support networks, may not withstand the exuberant celebrations typical of Olympic triumphs.

This isn’t the first time Olympic medals have drawn scrutiny. At the Paris 2024 Games, hundreds of athletes requested replacements after medals reportedly tarnished prematurely, underscoring the challenge of producing thousands of durable, symbolic keepsakes.

For athletes, medals are more than hardware, they are lifelong symbols of achievement. With broken medals trending on social media, organisers face pressure to ensure that winners receive keepsakes that reflect both the prestige of the Games and the enduring memory of their victories.