The Organizing Committee for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics announced on the 10th that they have replaced the surface of the figure skating podium due to an issue where athletes' blades were damaged during the medal ceremony held on the night of the 8th. The problem arose because the podium surface was inadequately protected, lacking rubber or similar materials that would safeguard the skates. According to the Japan Skating Federation, the podium surface was in a rough condition, compared to 'rough asphalt,' leading to blade damage for athletes from various countries who stood on the podium.

During the ceremony, the United States won gold, Japan took silver, and Italy secured bronze. Following the incident, the Japan Skating Federation reported the situation to the International Skating Union (ISU) and lodged a formal protest through the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) against the organizing committee. In a press conference on the 10th, the organizing committee confirmed they have implemented measures to avoid further damage to blades on the podium and have collaborated with ISU to ensure extra time for blade adjustments, acknowledging the need for these athletes to maintain their equipment before competing.

The individual competition of figure skating, including ice dance events starting on the 9th, with men's, pairs, and women's events beginning on the 10th, 15th, and 17th respectively, adds urgency to the situation. The Milan-Cortina Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, and this issue underscores the importance of ensuring proper conditions for athletes to prevent equipment-related injuries during high-stakes competitions.