Olympic Medals Break During Celebrations: A Caution to Athletes
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have faced an unexpected dilemma concerning the quality of Olympic medals. Following the opening weekend celebrations, several athletes reported that their medals broke soon after receiving them. This has prompted organizers to investigate the matter closely.
Medals Break During Celebrations at Milan Cortina
Gold medalist Breezy Johnson highlighted her experience shortly after winning the women’s downhill ski competition. She expressed disappointment when her medal broke after she jumped in excitement. “I’m sure somebody will fix it,” Johnson remarked, noting that the damage was not severe but still concerning.
Other Notable Incidents
Further incidents were reported, including that of biathlete Justus Strelow. Captured on German television, Strelow’s mixed relay bronze medal fell off its ribbon while he celebrated with teammates. Despite his best efforts to reattach the medal, he discovered that a smaller piece had broken off, leaving him unable to fix it on his own.
U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu also shared a clip on social media showing her team event gold medal detached from its ribbon. “My medal don’t need the ribbon,” she humorously stated in her post.
Organizers Respond to the Situation
Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer for the organizing committee, acknowledged the issue. “We are aware of the situation and have seen the images,” Francisi stated. He assured the public that they are investigating the quality of the medals with a focus on athlete satisfaction. “The medal is the dream of the athletes, so we want everything to be perfect,” he emphasized.
Historical Concerns Over Medal Quality
This incident is not the first time Olympic medal quality has come under fire. After the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, some medals were replaced due to complaints of tarnishing and corrosion. Athletes described the medals’ appearance as resembling crocodile skin, raising concerns about their durability.
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics committee is committed to addressing these quality issues immediately. As athletes celebrate their hard-earned victories, the integrity of medal ceremonies remains paramount.
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