Olympic Athletes’ Medals Shatter During Celebrations
Celebrations at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics took an unexpected turn as athletes reported broken medals shortly after their victories. Gold medalist Breezy Johnson shared her experience during the Games’ opening weekend, emphasizing the need for caution when handling these prized awards.
Medal Integrity Under Scrutiny
Johnson, who secured the women’s downhill ski gold, recounted her excitement that led to her medal’s damage. “Don’t jump in them. I was jumping in excitement, and it broke,” she said after her win.
The incident prompted Olympic organizers to investigate the quality of the medals. Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer, stated they were addressing the situation with “maximum attention.” He acknowledged the importance of the medals and affirmed their commitment to ensuring athletes receive them in perfect condition.
Incidents During Celebrations
- Justus Strelow, a German biathlete, experienced his mixed relay bronze medal falling off while celebrating with teammates, capturing the moment on camera.
- Alysa Liu, a U.S. figure skater, humorously posted on social media about her gold medal detaching from its ribbon, saying, “My medal don’t need the ribbon.”
The occurrences have raised questions about the durability and quality of the Olympic medals. Francisi mentioned that the organizing committee is investigating to understand whether there is a widespread issue.
Previous Concerns with Medal Quality
This is not the first time athletes have raised concerns about Olympic medal quality. Following the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, several medals had to be replaced due to tarnishing and corrosion. Athletes described the affected medals as having a mottled appearance similar to crocodile skin.
The Milan Cortina organizing committee is under pressure to resolve these issues promptly, as medals symbolize the dreams and achievements of the athletes. Ensuring their integrity is paramount for the credibility of the Games.
