There’s certainly a crack in the Olympic medals’ foundation.
Shortly after Team USA’s Breezy Johnson and Alyssa Liu revealed their gold medals unexpectedly broke during the 2026 Winter Olympicsthe organization confirmed they’re fully aware of the growing defects.
“Following reports of issues affecting a small number of medals, the organising committee immediately reviewed the matter, working closely with the State Mint, which produced the medals,” Olympic committee spokesperson Luca Casassa said at the Milano Cortina Games briefing on Feb. 11. “A solution has been identified, and a targeted fix has been put in place.”
He continued, “Athletes whose medals have been affected are encouraged to return them through the appropriate channels so that they can be promptly repaired and returned. Milano Cortina 2026 remains fully committed to ensuring that medals, which represent the pinnacle of every athlete’s journey, meet the highest standards of quality and care.”
While officials haven’t publicly addressed the cause behind the defects, theories have suggested it could be an issue with the medal’s clasp that connects it to the ribbon. According to The Guardianthe clasp is created with a breakaway mechanism—a fitting required by law—to avoid the risk of injuring the winners when they wear them.
