Winter Olympics Medal Investigation Launched After Athletes Report Damage
Olympic officials have promised to launch a thorough investigation into why medals at the Milano Cortina Winter Games are repeatedly breaking, following reports from multiple athletes of chipped, cracked and damaged awards. The prized possessions, which should symbolise peak athletic achievement, have become an embarrassing issue for organisers as they fail to withstand post-ceremony celebrations.
Athletes Share Stories of Broken Medals
American downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson experienced the problem firsthand when her gold medal broke shortly after the podium ceremony on Saturday. "I was jumping up and down in excitement, then it just fell off," she told reporters, displaying her cracked and chipped medal in one hand while the separated ribbon hung around her neck.
Since Johnson's incident, several other athletes have come forward with similar stories:
- Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported her medal "fell in the snow and broke in two" before adding: "Now I hope the organisers have a 'plan B' for broken medals."
- German biathlete Justus Strelow said his bronze medal cracked and fell on the floor during celebrations
- US figure skater Alysa Liu posted on Instagram that the ribbon had come off her team gold medal
Organisers Promise Maximum Attention to Problem
During a press conference on Monday, Milano Cortina chief games operations officer Andrea Francisi addressed the growing concern: "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."
Organisers have since suggested the issue may stem from the medal's cord, which features a breakaway mechanism required by law. This safety system is designed to release automatically if pulled with force, preventing the wearer from being choked during accidental tugs or pulls.
Historical Precedent for Medal Issues
This is not the first time Olympic medals have faced durability problems. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, organisers received more than 200 requests for medal replacements - representing approximately 4% of all medals awarded during those Summer Games. The recurrence of similar issues at the Winter Olympics suggests a systemic problem that transcends individual organising committees.
The investigation comes at a critical time for the Milano Cortina Games, with athletes continuing to compete for medals that may not withstand the emotional celebrations that follow podium finishes. Organisers now face pressure to identify the root cause and implement solutions before more athletes experience the disappointment of damaged awards.
