This report details a recurring issue at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina: several athletes' medals, a symbol of their ultimate achievement, have experienced detachment of their ribbons. The problem, attributed to a new safety mechanism in the medal's design, has caused inconvenience and concern among medalists, including prominent figures like alpine skier Breezy Johnson.
Olympic Glory, Unraveling Ribbons: The Unexpected Challenge of the 2026 Winter Games Medals
The Unfortunate Unveiling: Medals Without Their Ribbons
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, a notable and somewhat ironic issue has emerged: several athletes' hard-won medals have been presented without their accompanying ribbons, or have had the ribbons detach shortly after being awarded. This has led to scenes like alpine skier Breezy Johnson proudly, yet somewhat awkwardly, displaying her gold medal directly from her coat pocket, separated from its intended ribbon.
A Champion's Perspective: Breezy Johnson's Experience and the Widespread Issue
Johnson openly shared her experience, attributing the ribbon's detachment to her enthusiastic celebration. She recounted how her joyous leaps caused the medal to break, though she expressed confidence in its repair. Her situation, however, is not isolated. Other esteemed athletes, including figure skater Alyssa Liu, cross-country skier Ebba Andersson, speed skater Jutta Leerdam, biathlete Justus Strelow, and alpine team bronze medalist Jackie Wiles, have reported similar incidents. Some, like curlers Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, have even resorted to sleeping with their medals to safeguard them, highlighting the depth of concern among participants.
Examining the Design Flaw: A Closer Look at the Ribbon Attachment
The core of the problem lies in the novel design of the medal's ribbon attachment. Unlike previous Olympic medals which utilized loops or grommets, the 2026 medals feature a groove at the top. A metal pin, integrated into a loop at the bottom of the ribbon, is designed to fit into this groove. While intended to securely hold the medal, this spring-loaded mechanism appears to be overly sensitive. Any significant pull or jolt, often part of an athlete's spontaneous celebration, can inadvertently activate the spring, causing the ribbon to detach from the medal.
The Manufacturer's Response: Acknowledging the "Safety Device"
The Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS), responsible for the production of these medals, has addressed the issue. They clarified that the medals themselves are not breaking, but rather an "anti-choking safety device" is activating during moments of intense celebration. IPZS confirmed that the Organizing Committee is closely collaborating with them to investigate the matter and ensure that affected medals can be repaired and returned to the athletes through established channels. This response, however, has left several questions unanswered regarding the prevalence of such safety features in Olympic medals, the mandate behind this specific design, and the detailed repair process.
Looking Ahead: Enhancements for the Paralympic Games
In light of the ongoing issues, IPZS has stated that the safety hook mechanism on the Paralympic medals, scheduled for the upcoming Games from March 6-15, will be "enhanced." This proactive measure suggests an acknowledgment of the design's shortcomings and a commitment to preventing similar occurrences for Paralympic athletes, ensuring their hard-earned accolades remain intact.
