live Infotainment Factory: Investigation launched into broken Olympic medals

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Monday, 9 February 2026

Investigation launched into broken Olympic medals


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Organisers at Milan-Cortina 2026 have assured teams the issue of breaking medals has their "maximum attention" after several athletes experienced issues.

US gold medallists Breezy Johnson and Alysa Liu, along with members of the German biathlon team, showed ribbons had come away from the medals.

With the Germans, an Instagram video showed the medal falling from the ribbon as an athlete jumped up and down during celebrations.

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"We are fully aware of the situation," Andrea Francisi, Milan-Cortina 2026 chief Games operations officer said.

"We are going to pay maximum attention to the medals, and obviously this is something we want to be perfect when the medal is handed over because this is one of the most important moments for the athletes."

Only minutes after the medal ceremony for the women's downhill, Johnson revealed that her gold prize had already broken into three pieces.

American gold medalist Breezy Johnson displays her broken medal to the media following her victory in the women's downhill.

During the post-race press conference, Johnson offered a warning as silver medallist Emma Aicher sat down next to her: "Do not jump in them", she said, before displaying the pieces of her broken medal.

A United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee spokesperson told the BBC they are waiting for the issue to be resolved.

It has not yet been confirmed whether athletes will receive replacement medals.

Earlier, as Johnson jumped up and down in celebration, the gold medal had suddenly snapped off its ribbon.

Watch the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.

Breezy Johnson shows the three pieces of her shattered gold medal.

"It's definitely heavy — heavier than I expected," she said.

"I think that's maybe why it broke."

While a groove at the top of the medal is designed to hold the ribbon, the connector piece simply gave way.

"So there's the medal, and there's the ribbon," Johnson said, gesturing to the broken medal.

"And here's the little piece that is supposed to go into the ribbon to hold the medal, and, yeah, it came apart."

"It's not crazy broken, but it's a little broken."

When asked if she planned to get it fixed, she joked that "somebody will fix it".

The issue of broken medals raised its head in Paris, with 220 requests to have medals won replaced because of wear and tear.

Organisers at Milan-Cortina 2026 have assured teams the issue of breaking medals has their "maximum attention" after several athletes experienced issues.

US gold medallists Breezy Johnson and Alysa Liu, along with members of the German biathlon team, showed ribbons had come away from the medals.

With the Germans, an Instagram video showed the medal falling from the ribbon as an athlete jumped up and down during celebrations.

READ MORE: Jake Paul's fiancée wins emotional Winter Olympics gold

READ MORE: How Broncos handled 'elephant in the room' at season launch

READ MORE: Aussie champ's classic interview after Super Bowl 'perfection'

"We are fully aware of the situation," Andrea Francisi, Milan-Cortina 2026 chief Games operations officer said.

"We are going to pay maximum attention to the medals, and obviously this is something we want to be perfect when the medal is handed over because this is one of the most important moments for the athletes."

Only minutes after the medal ceremony for the women's downhill, Johnson revealed that her gold prize had already broken into three pieces.

American gold medalist Breezy Johnson displays her broken medal to the media following her victory in the women's downhill.

During the post-race press conference, Johnson offered a warning as silver medallist Emma Aicher sat down next to her: "Do not jump in them", she said, before displaying the pieces of her broken medal.

A United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee spokesperson told the BBC they are waiting for the issue to be resolved.

It has not yet been confirmed whether athletes will receive replacement medals.

Earlier, as Johnson jumped up and down in celebration, the gold medal had suddenly snapped off its ribbon.

Watch the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.

Breezy Johnson shows the three pieces of her shattered gold medal.

"It's definitely heavy — heavier than I expected," she said.

"I think that's maybe why it broke."

While a groove at the top of the medal is designed to hold the ribbon, the connector piece simply gave way.

"So there's the medal, and there's the ribbon," Johnson said, gesturing to the broken medal.

"And here's the little piece that is supposed to go into the ribbon to hold the medal, and, yeah, it came apart."

"It's not crazy broken, but it's a little broken."

When asked if she planned to get it fixed, she joked that "somebody will fix it".

The issue of broken medals raised its head in Paris, with 220 requests to have medals won replaced because of wear and tear.

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