Olympic Medals Breaking at Milano-Cortina Games Due to Safety Mechanism
Several winners at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina have had their medals fall apart due to a faulty mechanism, creating an unexpected issue for athletes celebrating their hard-earned achievements. The problem stems from a safety feature required by law to prevent potential strangulation or other injuries, which has ironically led to the medals breaking during normal handling.
Organizers Respond with Immediate Fixes
A spokesman for the Milano-Cortina Games confirmed that a solution has been identified and implemented. Lucas Casassa, the spokesperson, stated that the organizing committee worked closely with the State Mint, which produced the medals, to address the issue promptly. A targeted fix has been put in place, and athletes whose medals have been affected are encouraged to return them for repair through appropriate channels.
Casassa emphasized the committee's commitment to quality, saying, Milano Cortina 2026 remains fully committed to ensuring that medals, which represent the pinnacle of every athlete's journey, meet the highest standards of quality and care. He added that they are rechecking all medals yet to be handed out as a precaution to ensure athletes' joy is complete when receiving their awards.
High-Profile Incidents Highlight the Problem
Multiple athletes have reported broken medals, drawing attention to the widespread nature of the issue:
- Jutta Leerdam, a prominent athlete, accidentally broke her gold medal during a TikTok post with fiancé Jake Paul, who remarked, Yeah, it keeps breaking. I'll fix it again.
- Jacqueline Wiles, a U.S. skier, broke her bronze medal on Tuesday, noting it happened during arm swinging and jumping, but it was quickly fixed.
- Breezy Johnson, gold medalist in women's downhill alpine skiing, showed her broken medal at a press conference, explaining how the piece connecting the ribbon came apart.
- Alysa Liu, an American figure skater, shared on Instagram that her medal separated from the ribbon, humorously captioning it, My medal don't need the ribbon.
- The German biathlon team also experienced issues with their bronze medals, as seen in social media clips.
Safety Feature Causes Unintended Consequences
According to sources, the medals feature a breakaway mechanism on the clasp and ribbon, legally required to prevent choking hazards if yanked with force. This mechanism, designed for safety, has led to the medals disengaging unexpectedly during normal use. The Guardian reported that the mechanism is meant to disengage under force, but it has proven too sensitive in practice.
Casassa did not specify how many medals have been broken or damaged, but the incidents have prompted a thorough review. The organizing committee is taking proactive steps to ensure all future awards are secure, reflecting the importance of these symbols in athletes' careers.
As the Games continue, officials are focused on maintaining the integrity of the Olympic awards while balancing safety regulations. This situation highlights the challenges in designing medals that are both safe and durable, a lesson for future Olympic organizers.
