Organizers for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have announced a plan to address issues with defective medals, allowing athletes to return any damaged medals for repairs. This development comes in the early days of the games, where concerns over the durability of the medals have been a prominent topic of discussion among competitors. Despite these issues, the competition has otherwise been progressing smoothly without significant incidents.

The investigation into the defective medals was conducted in collaboration with the Italian Mint, which is responsible for their production. Luca Casassa, the communication director for Milano Cortina 2026, pointed out that only a limited number of medals were found to be defective. He expressed confidence that a specific intervention had been implemented to remedy the situation, ensuring that athletes who received faulty medals would not have to suffer any lingering issues.

This proactive approach by the organizers underlines their commitment to the integrity of the Olympic experience and the importance of honoring athletes through their awards. The option for repairs not only helps in maintaining athletes' satisfaction but also reinforces the Olympic spirit by addressing potential issues promptly and effectively.