Olympic organizers have identified the cause behind the string of broken medals at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. Following complaints from multiple athletes, Milano Cortina 2026 officials announced a fix has been implemented for the medals' breakaway mechanism, which is legally required for safety reasons.

The issue appears linked to the clasp and ribbon design, which includes a safety feature meant to prevent strangulation. However, this mechanism has been disengaging too easily when athletes celebrate their victories. U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu and downhill skier Breezy Johnson were among those whose medals separated during celebrations, with Johnson's breaking during a press conference.

Organizers are now offering affected athletes replacement medals through official channels. The State Mint, which produced the medals, worked with the organizing committee to develop a targeted fix. While the breakaway mechanism serves an important safety function, its current sensitivity has created an embarrassing situation for the Games, shifting attention from athletic achievements to medal durability concerns.