Medal design unveiled ahead of Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics and Paralympics
More than 1,100 medals will be awarded next year.
The medals for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics and Paralympics were unveiled on Tuesday, with the Games just over six months away.
The design is simple — the circular medal is split into two halves, symbolizing “not only the union of two cities, Milano and Cortina, but also the soul of victory and the effort it takes to achieve it.”
Olympic and Paralympic values are also at the heart of the design according to a press release from the organizing committee, and the half-and-half design of the medals shows “ a world where competition doesn’t divide, but unites.”
The front of the medals are identical, apart from the Olympic rings swapped for the Paralympic Agitos. The backs of the medals feature the Milano Cortina 2026 logo, as well as the name of the event in which it was won.
The medals are being made by the Zecca dello Stato, which is the state mint in Italy. The medals will use an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and recyclable protective finish to preserve them from deteriorating — a concern with the medals from the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
“We conceived a medal that represents purity and a return to essence,” said Raffaella Paniè, Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director for Milano Cortina 2026, in a press release. “With our medals, we celebrate the strength found in difference: two unique halves that join through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols to deliver a bold and unified message.
“This concept is also reflected in the surfaces of the medals, where two textures meet and begin a story written not only by the athletes and Para athletes, but also by those who supported them: coaches, teammates, family members, and fans.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6-22, and feature 116 in 8 sports, while the Paralympics will follow with 79 events in 6 sports from March 6-15.
All together, 245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be presented during the Olympics and 137 of each during the Paralympics for a total of 1,146 medals.
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