2026 Olympic Medals Split Design Honors Two Italian Cities

Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics will wear medals that make history as beautiful as the victories they represent.

For the first time ever, the Winter Games will split between two host cities: Milano and Cortina, Italy. The medal design honors this unique arrangement with two distinct halves joined at the center, each featuring different textures that symbolize the union of both locations.

Raffaella Paniè, the Games' Brand and Identity Director, led the design team with a vision that goes deeper than geography. The split design also represents the bond between athletes and their teams, the coaches and families who supported every training session, and the fans who cheered from home.

"We celebrate the strength found in difference," Paniè explained. "Two unique halves that join through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols to deliver a bold and unified message."

Italy's state mint, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, crafted all 1,146 gold, silver, and bronze medals using entirely renewable energy. The medals feature an eco-friendly, non-toxic, recyclable protective finish that proves sustainability and beauty can go hand in hand.

The design captures what organizers call "Italian Spirit." It's vibrant, dynamic, and contemporary, inspired by Italian avant-garde art while honoring the determination of the world's greatest athletes.

Why This Inspires

These medals represent more than athletic achievement. They tell a story about collaboration, about how separate parts can create something stronger together.

Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, captured the deeper meaning perfectly. "Each medal is a story etched into metal: it speaks to effort, determination, sacrifice, and the hopes of those who have lived to reach the podium."

The Games mark a special homecoming for Italy. Cortina last hosted the Winter Olympics 70 years ago in 1956, making 2026 a celebration of both progress and tradition.

Athletes will compete for medals in 195 events starting with Friday's opening ceremony. The same unified design appears on both Olympic and Paralympic medals, ensuring every competitor receives an award that honors the complete journey to excellence.

These medals prove that the most meaningful victories come when we bring our different strengths together.