🚨 OLYMPIC MEDALS ARE LITERALLY FALLING APART — HOURS AFTER ATHLETES WIN THEM! 😱🥇

You train your whole life, stand on the podium in tears, get handed the ultimate symbol of glory… and then it BREAKS right in your hands?

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Just days into the 2026 Winter Olympics, a bizarre and embarrassing problem has overshadowed the competition: newly awarded medals are breaking, detaching from their ribbons, cracking, or chipping almost immediately after athletes receive them.

Multiple medalists from different nations and sports have reported the issue, turning what should be lifelong keepsakes into symbols of frustration. Organizers have acknowledged the defects, launched an investigation, identified the cause, and promised repairs – but not before the mishaps went viral and sparked widespread criticism.

The trouble began during the opening weekend of the Milano Cortina Games. U.S. alpine skier Breezy Johnson, fresh off her gold medal in the women’s downhill on Sunday, February 8, revealed during a post-race press conference that her medal had separated from its ribbon while she celebrated. “Don’t jump in them,” Johnson said, holding up the detached medal and ribbon for reporters. “I was jumping in excitement and it broke. I’m sure somebody will fix it. It’s not like crazy broken, but it’s a little broken.”

Johnson’s first Olympic gold – a career-defining moment – was marred within hours. She described the connector piece failing, allowing the heavy medal disc to come loose.

The next high-profile case came from U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu, who helped Team USA win gold in the team event. Liu posted a TikTok video captioned “My medal don’t need the ribbon,” showing her prize fully separated from its strap. The 20-year-old, competing in her first Olympics, joined the growing list of affected athletes.

German biathlete Justus Strelow experienced the issue publicly during a mixed relay celebration. TV footage captured his bronze medal falling off his neck and clattering to the ground as he danced with teammates. Strelow attempted to reattach it before noticing a broken clasp piece on the floor, drawing cheers – and sympathy – from those around him.

Sweden’s cross-country skier Ebba Andersson reported her medal “fell in the snow and broke in two” after a drop during festivities. At least four confirmed cases surfaced in the first few days, with reports of chipping or cracking in others.

Milano Cortina 2026 officials responded quickly but initially cautiously. Chief Games Operations Officer Andrea Francisi told reporters on Monday, February 9: “We are fully aware of the situation. We have seen the images. We are trying to understand in detail if there is a problem. We will pay maximum attention to the medals.”

By Tuesday, February 10, organizers announced they had identified the root cause: a mandatory breakaway safety mechanism on the ribbon, designed to prevent choking hazards. The feature, required by regulations, apparently failed under the stress of celebration jumps, drops, or normal handling. Working with Italy’s State Mint (the medals’ producer), a “targeted fix” was implemented to strengthen the connection without compromising safety.

A statement from the organizing committee read: “A solution has been identified, and a targeted intervention has been put in place. Athletes whose medals have been affected are encouraged to return them through the appropriate channels so that they can be promptly repaired and returned.”

The committee emphasized that only a “small number” of medals were impacted and reaffirmed its commitment to “the highest standards of quality and attention to detail.” Affected athletes were offered expedited repairs, with assurances the symbolic value of their achievements remained intact.

The medals themselves – among the most elaborate and expensive in Olympic history – feature a unique design symbolizing “two halves coming together,” with sustainable materials and intricate Italian craftsmanship. Weighing heavily due to their metal content, the added stress on the ribbon connectors likely contributed to the failures.

Public reaction has been mixed. On social media, many expressed sympathy for the athletes, calling it a heartbreaking flaw in an otherwise triumphant moment. Others mocked the situation, with comments like “Amazon medals” or “made by the lowest bidder” circulating widely. Some pointed to prior Olympic medal issues, including rust and deterioration reports from the 2024 Paris Summer Games, where over 220 replacements were requested.

Organizers have faced scrutiny over quality control, especially given the high-profile nature of the event. The medals were produced by the Italian State Mint with significant oversight, yet the rapid emergence of problems raised questions about testing – particularly for the breakaway mechanism under real-world excitement.

Despite the drama, competition has continued without major disruptions. Athletes have largely taken the mishaps in stride, focusing on their performances amid sold-out venues and strong early results for host nation Italy and powerhouses like Norway and the United States.

The episode highlights the intense pressure on every detail at the Olympics. Medals represent years of sacrifice, and their physical failure – however minor – can feel like a personal slight. For Johnson, Liu, Strelow, and others, the broken hardware became an unintended footnote to their victories.

Officials hope the swift fix restores confidence. Repairs are underway, and no widespread recall has been issued. As the Games progress through mid-February, the focus remains on the ice, snow, and athletic excellence – though the brief “broken medals” saga serves as a reminder that even Olympic perfection can come unglued.