Flimsy Medals Cause Concern at Winter Olympics
The organisers of the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are urgently investigating the issue of medals that appear to be too fragile, as several athletes have reported their awards breaking within the first few days of competition. This has raised concerns about the quality and durability of the medals, which are meant to symbolise the pinnacle of athletic achievement.
Andrea Francisi, the chief operations officer for the organising committee, acknowledged the problem and stated that they are working on a solution. “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. “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.”
Athletes Share Their Experiences
One of the first athletes to unintentionally test the medals was Breezy Johnson, the women’s downhill gold medallist. She was jumping for joy when the medal came detached from the ribbon around her neck. “Don’t jump in them,” the American warned silver medallist Emma Aicher of Germany. During their post-race press conference, Johnson showed a gobsmacked Aicher the aftermath of her celebration, before revealing to reporters the various bits and pieces that led to the critical fault.
“I was jumping in excitement, and it broke,” she said, holding up the medal, the ribbon and the pin that was supposed to keep the whole thing together. “It came apart. I’m sure somebody will fix it. It’s not crazy broken, but it’s a little broken.”
TV footage broadcast in Germany captured the moment biathlete Justus Strelow realised his mixed relay bronze had fallen off the ribbon around his neck and clattered to the floor as he danced along to a song with teammates. “Hey Olympics, what’s up with those medals?” the German biathlon team posted on Instagram. “Are they not meant to be celebrated?” His German teammates cheered and laughed as Strelow tried without success to reattach the medal before realising the smaller piece had broken off and was still on the floor.
Social Media Reactions
US figure skater Alysa Liu posted a clip on social media of her team event gold medal, detached from its official ribbon. “My medal don’t need the ribbon,” Liu wrote. Women’s 10km + 10km skiathlon silver medallist Ebba Andersson also had the same thing happen as she was running across the snow with teammate and gold medallist Frida Karlsson after their medal ceremony.
“That did not go completely according to plan. It’s in two pieces, with one of our coaches, right now,” she said. “One of the three pieces that made up the medal fell off. After a lot of faffing about, we let that piece be. It was a small pin that secured the medal in its pendant. I don’t know if the medal is made to hang around your neck when you’re running across half of the home straight, and also doing it at the speed of Frida Karlsson. I was a bit stupid trying to follow her.”
Historical Context
This is not the first time the quality of Olympic medals has come under scrutiny. Following the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, some medals had to be replaced after athletes complained they were starting to tarnish or corrode, giving them a mottled look likened to crocodile skin. The current issues with the Milano Cortina medals highlight the importance of ensuring that these symbols of achievement are both durable and meaningful.
Key Issues Identified
- Durability Concerns: Several athletes reported their medals breaking or coming apart during celebrations.
- Design Flaws: The use of a pin to secure the medal may not be sufficient for high-energy activities.
- Public Reaction: Social media platforms have been flooded with videos and comments highlighting the issue.
- Historical Precedent: Similar problems have occurred in previous Olympics, indicating a recurring challenge in medal design and production.
