Milan-Cortina 2026 organisers are investigating why several Olympic medals are breaking, leaving athletes frustrated soon after receiving them. 

US gold medallists Breezy Johnson and Alysa Liu both experienced the ribbons detaching from their medals, with Johnson showing her broken medal after the women’s downhill alpine skiing event, and Liu holding hers apart in a now-famous moment.

The problem also affected Germany’s biathlon team, whose bronze medal fell from its ribbon during hotel celebrations.

Andrea Francisi, chief games operations officer, confirmed the organisers are looking into the issue, though it’s not yet clear if replacement medals will be issued.