Why are Olympic medals breaking? Inside weight, material, more about prizes falling apart in 2026

Winning an Olympic medal is the dream of many athletes. A classic image of Olympians receiving their medals is biting them to make sure they’re real. While the medals themselves are genuine and sturdy, a recent issue has emerged. The medals are worn around the winners’ necks, attached to a ribbon that loops through a small connector on the medal. That attachment has been prone to breaking, especially when athletes jump in celebration, forcing some to carry their medals by hand. Here’s more on why Olympic medals have been breaking. MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer's guide | Day-by-day scheduleWhy are Olympic medals breaking? The medals themselves aren’t breaking. Their...