Team USA Olympians Stunned as Medals Shatter After Victories
Celebrations turned into confusion for several athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan as they discovered their hard-earned medals were breaking apart. Team USA's Breezy Johnson, who clinched gold in the women’s downhill alpine skiing event on February 8, showcased her fractured medal during a press conference.
“So there’s the medal. And there’s the ribbon,” Johnson explained, holding up the two pieces. “And here’s the little piece that is supposed to go into the ribbon to hold the medal. And yeah, it came apart.” Her lighthearted demonstration drew laughter, but it also highlighted a concerning trend.
As Germany’s Emma Aicher, silver medalist in the same event, joined the press gathering, Johnson humorously cautioned her, “Do NOT jump in them.” This playful warning underscored the unexpected nature of the medal mishaps.
It appears Johnson's experience is not isolated. German biathlete Justus Strelow faced a similar fate when his mixed relay bronze medal slipped off its ribbon while he celebrated with teammates. The moment quickly gained traction on social media, illustrating a broader issue.
Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu also took to Instagram to share her own medal malfunction, stating, “My medal don’t need the ribbon. Proud of the team.” Her post resonated with many who found humor in the situation.
In response to these incidents, Andrea Francisi, Chief Games Operations Officer for Milano Cortina 2026, addressed reporters on February 9. “We are aware of the situation. We have seen the images,” he stated. “Obviously, we are trying to understand in detail if there is a problem. We are paying maximum attention to this matter, as the medal is the dream of the athletes.”
Francisi emphasized the importance of ensuring that medals are perfect at the moment they are awarded, recognizing it as a pivotal moment for athletes. The Games will see a total of 245 gold medals distributed across 116 Olympic and 79 Paralympic events.
Interestingly, only six grams of gold comprise the 506-gram gold medals; the rest is silver. The silver medals contain 500 grams of 99 percent silver, while bronze medals are made up of 420 grams of copper. Organizers designed the medals to symbolize the journey of athletes and those who supported them along the way.
Before the Games commenced, athletes expressed their excitement about representing their country. Ice dancer Madison Chock remarked, “It’s one of the greatest honors to be able to go to the Olympics and represent the U.S.” She highlighted the pride that comes with being American and pursuing the Olympic dream.
Hockey player Hilary Knight added, “If you want to call us sports ambassadors or sports envoys, we can have an impact on someone’s life in a small way.” She acknowledged the responsibility that comes with representing one’s country on such a significant stage.
