The Organizing Committee of the Olympic Winter Games 2026 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have officially presented the medals that will be awarded to the winners of the Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This was reported by G Business , citing the official website of the IOC.
The presentation took place at the historic Palazzo Balbi in Venice. The medals reflect the core values of the Games: minimalism, sustainability, and the power of unity.
1. Minimalist design and Italian modernism
The medals follow a clean, modern aesthetic — defined by pure forms, restrained style, and elegance.
The creative concept was led by Raffaella Panié, the head of visual design for the Games. The team focused on a return to essence: simplicity, harmony, and inner depth.
The design was inspired by the Italian avant-garde school — emphasizing functionality, symbolism, and respect for space and form.
2. Two halves — one whole
The most distinctive feature of the medals is their "split" structure: each piece appears to be composed of two different textures, merging into a single entity.
This symbolizes:
- The two host cities — Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo
- The duality of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
It also represents a deep metaphor for unity:
- between athlete and coach
- between the individual and the team
- between personal achievement and collective effort
This idea will be a recurring theme throughout the 2026 Games.
3. Sustainability at every stage
The medals are being produced by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute in Rome.
For the first time in Olympic history, the medals are being cast using induction furnaces powered entirely by renewable energy. All materials and coatings are environmentally friendly and fully recyclable.
This approach reflects the organizers’ priorities: responsible production, environmental awareness, and preservation of the Alpine landscape.
4. What the medals are made of
A total of 1,146 medals will be awarded:
- 735 during the Olympic Games
- 411 during the Paralympic Games
Technical specifications
| Medal Type | Weight | Material | Diameter | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 506 g | 999 silver + 6 g of 999.9 fine gold | 80 mm | 10 mm |
| Silver | 500 g | 999 fine silver | 80 mm | 10 mm |
| Bronze | 420 g | Copper alloy | 80 mm | 10 mm |
Each medal comes in an eco-friendly presentation box, also reflecting the dual-structure theme.
5. Italy’s third Winter Olympics
Italy has hosted the Winter Games twice before:
- 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- 2006 in Turin
The 2026 edition aims to unite urban energy and alpine elegance, with competitions taking place across both Milan and Cortina.
- Olympic Winter Games: February 6–22, 2026
- Paralympic Winter Games: March 6–15, 2026
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Official image from Olympics.com