During the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the Japan Skating Federation reported that the blades of the athletes' skates were found to be damaged. The team that stood on the podium included the United States winning gold, Japan taking silver, and Italy securing bronze. The issue arose from the podium's surface, which lacked protective materials, causing significant wear to the blades resembling a rough asphalt condition.

In response to this incident, the Japan Skating Federation formally reported the issue to the International Skating Union (ISU) and protested to the event's organizing committee through the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC). The damaged blades were repaired at a specialized workshop the following morning. The condition of the blades is crucial for the athletes' performances, as many prefer not to have their ice skates sharpened too close to the competition, sometimes altering their schedule weeks in advance of events to prepare appropriately.

The affected Japanese athletes included notable competitors like Kaori Sakamoto and Shoma Uno. With individual competitions set to begin shortly, including ice dance and men’s events, concerns about how this incident might impact their performance have been raised. As preparations for the Milan-Cortina Olympics continue, the focus will also be on ensuring proper maintenance of the equipment used in future events.