Winter Olympics Officials Investigate Medal Quality After Athlete Complaints
Organisers of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have initiated a formal investigation following numerous reports from athletes that their hard-earned medals are proving fragile and prone to damage. The gold, silver, and bronze awards, intended as lasting symbols of Olympic achievement, have been reported to crack, chip, or even snap completely, often within a short time after being presented to competitors.
Official Acknowledgment and Response
Andrea Francisi, the Chief Games Operations Officer for the Milano Cortina Winter Games, publicly addressed the growing concerns during a press conference on Monday. "We are fully aware of the situation and you have seen the pictures," Francisi stated, confirming that organisers are actively examining the issue. He emphasised the importance of resolving the matter, declaring, "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."
Affected Athletes and Their Experiences
Among the prominent athletes impacted is American downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson, who displayed her damaged gold medal to the media. "It is heavy, it’s broken. It’s a look," Johnson remarked, explaining that the medal broke after she was jumping up and down in excitement. "It just fell off," she added, highlighting the unexpected fragility of the prize.
German biathlete Justus Strelow also experienced issues, with his bronze medal reportedly breaking during team celebrations. Similarly, Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson's silver medal from the women's skiathlon suffered significant damage. "The medal fell in the snow and broke in two," Andersson told Swedish broadcaster SVT, expressing hope that organisers have a "Plan B" for such incidents.
Historical Context and Previous Concerns
This investigation follows previous scrutiny over Olympic medal quality, notably after the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024. Team USA skateboarder Nyjah Huston raised alarms when he claimed his bronze medal began deteriorating just a week after winning it. In a video posted to Instagram, Huston showed his medal chipping and losing colour, commenting that it looked like "it went to war and back." He criticised the quality, stating, "They’re apparently not as high quality as you’d think... Olympic medals, we gotta step up the quality a little bit."
Ongoing Investigation and Athlete Hopes
The investigation in Italy continues as organisers work to identify the root causes of the medal defects. Athletes across various disciplines are hopeful for a swift resolution and the provision of more durable mementoes that truly reflect their Olympic success and withstand the test of time. The situation underscores the importance of quality control in producing these iconic symbols, which hold immense sentimental and historical value for competitors worldwide.
