Philipp Raimund, of Germany, poses after winning the gold medal in the ski jumping men's normal hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Monday. AP-Yonhap
MILAN — A fix has been found to stop Milano Cortina Olympic medals from coming apart, and athletes will be able to return any damaged ones for repair, local organisers said on Tuesday.
The problems with the cherished medals have been one of the talking points of the opening days of competition at a Games that have otherwise run smoothly.
Local organisers investigated the medals mishaps with the Italian State Mint, which is responsible for producing them.
"A solution was identified and a targeted intervention was implemented," Milano Cortina 2026 Communications Director Luca Casassa said, adding that only a limited number of medals had suffered defects.
Athletes whose medals were affected could return them "so that they can be promptly repaired," he added.
"Milano Cortina 2026 confirms its commitment to ensuring that the medals, which symbolise the highest achievement in every athlete's career, meet the highest standards of quality and attention to detail."
Organisers did not specify what the problem was. However, a source close to the situation had suggested on Monday that the issue may stem from the medal's clasp and ribbon, which is fitted with a breakaway mechanism required by law to avoid the risk of strangulation or other injury. That tallied with the experience of U.S. Alpine skier Jacqueline Wiles, who who won a bronze in the women's team combined on Tuesday and became the latest competitor to suffer a medal mishap.
Source: Korea Times News
