The medals, made from recycled materials by Italy’s State Mint, weigh just over a pound and measure slightly more than 3 inches in diameter
Just days after the Games, athletes’ celebrations turned sour when they saw that their medals had broken in half.
American skier Breezy Johnson was jumping with joy when her medal detached from the ribbon, fell, and broke in half. Several other athletes have reported similar incidents.
The incidents happened across alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, and figure skating events, highlighting a widespread problem.
Organizers launched an immediate investigation and encouraged athletes to return damaged medals for repair.
The medals, made from recycled materials by Italy’s State Mint, weigh just over a pound and measure slightly more than 3 inches in diameter.
Officials stressed the importance of these awards but admitted some clasps weren’t sturdy enough for energetic post-victory celebrations.