MILAN — Milano Cortina Winter Olympics organizers launched an investigation on Monday into reports of cracking and chipping medals, affecting athletes from the U.S., Germany, Sweden and beyond just days into the Games.
American downhill skier Breezy Johnson displayed her damaged bronze shortly after the podium, noting it broke while she celebrated: “It is heavy, it’s broken… I was jumping up and down in excitement, then it just fell off.” Germany’s biathlete Justus Strelow saw his bronze crack on the floor during team festivities, while Sweden’s Ebba Andersson reported her skiathlon silver splitting in the snow.
Chief Games Operations Officer Andrea Francisi vowed maximum attention, stating, “We are fully aware of the situation… so that everything will be perfect because this is one of the most important things for the athletes.” U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu cited a separate ribbon detachment on her team gold, linked to a mandatory breakaway cord designed to prevent choking.
The medals’ innovative “discs of ice” design features two textured halves, frosted and polished, joined via Olympic symbols, symbolizing the athlete and their support network. Affected winners now await fixes as organizers scramble for a Plan B.