During the Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, American skier Breezy Johnson brought attention when she displayed her broken gold medal to journalists, who were expectantly waiting to see it after her recent victory. Instead of showcasing the shining medal, she presented a piece of heavy metal that had detached from the ribbon. Johnson explained that her exuberance caused the medal to fall apart, evoking both confusion and concern among sports fans and media alike.

Breezy Johnson's incident appears to be part of a larger issue among athletes at the event, as other competitors also faced troubles with their medals. German biathlete Justus Strelow experienced a similar mishap with his bronze medal, which fell and damaged upon hitting the ground. Furthermore, Swedish skier Ebba Andersson's silver medal met an even worse fate as it broke into two pieces after falling into the snow. The incidents have raised questions about the durability and quality of such prestigious awards, which are meant to symbolize the athletes' hard work and accomplishments.

Influenced by these events, the Italian organizers have expressed their intention to resolve the issues surrounding the medals. They have reached out to the affected athletes to address their concerns and ensure that corrective measures are swiftly implemented. The series of mishaps has not only taken the spotlight off the athletes’ achievements but has also sparked discussions regarding the quality of workmanship that goes into creating medals awarded during the highest level of international competition.