According to a report by BBC Sport, the issue first came to light when two American gold medallists noticed problems with the ribbons attached to their medals.

Breezy Johnson, who claimed gold in the women’s downhill alpine skiing event, revealed at a post-race press conference that the ribbon had detached from her medal almost immediately.

Holding up the pieces for reporters to see, Johnson explained that the connector meant to secure the medal to the ribbon had broken, separating the two entirely. A similar experience was shared by Alysa Liu, who won gold with the United States figure skating team. In a video posted on social media, Liu jokingly displayed the medal and ribbon in separate hands, writing that her medal no longer needed the ribbon at all.

The problem has not been limited to the US team. Members of Germany’s bronze-winning biathlon squad also faced the same issue. In a video shared on Instagram, one athlete’s medal can be seen slipping off its ribbon as the team celebrated by jumping around at their hotel.

Milan-Cortina 2026 chief Games operations officer Andrea Francisi confirmed that organisers are investigating the matter. He said officials are aware of the complaints and are working to identify the cause of the malfunction. Francisi stressed that medal ceremonies are among the most meaningful moments for athletes, and ensuring the medals are flawless is a top priority.

Meanwhile, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee told BBC Sport that it is waiting for the organisers to address the issue before taking further steps. It remains unclear whether affected athletes will receive replacement medals.

This is not the first time Olympic medal quality has raised concerns. After the Paris 2024 Games, more than 200 athletes requested replacements due to visible damage and wear. British diver Yasmin Harper, who won Team GB’s first medal in Paris, was among those who reported early signs of tarnishing. Paris organisers later confirmed that damaged medals would be replaced.

As Milan-Cortina 2026 moves closer, the incident has sparked broader questions about quality control, symbolism, and the responsibility of organisers to protect the value of one of sport’s highest honours.