2026 Winter Olympic Medals Unveiled Ahead of Milano Cortina Games

All Images: Courtesy of Milano Cortina 2026

We just got our first look at the medals for the 2026 Winter Olympics. These pieces of art have been created specifically for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, drawing on elements of Italian design and focusing on themes of union, collaboration and sustainability.

There are a few key details engrained in the gold, silver and bronze medals. Perhaps the most noticeable is the distinctive line work present on the front of the medal. A slanted line created by two offset halves divides the face in two, with one side having a granulated surface and the other being smooth and slightly mirrored.

In the official announcement, the Milano Cortina office describes this dynamic design as expressing, “the ideas of union and movement. The medal’s energy comes from this division, representing ongoing change. These elements are brought together by the Olympic and Paralympic values, turning contrast into unity and motion into meaning.”

The medals were created by the design team of Milano Cortina 2026, and will be manufactured by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS). Making the medals will be a labor of love, with the IPZS using recycled metal recovered from its own discarded or waste material. “[The medals] will be cast in induction furnaces powered entirely by renewable energy, with eco-friendly packaging made with FSC-certified materials and minimal use of plastics,” the Olympic press release stated.

The IPZS insignia can be seen on the side of the medals along with a set of lines indicating the medal’s status, with three lines for bronze, two for silver and one for gold, with braille inscriptions on the Paralympic medals, as seen above.

“The medals we have created to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games represent the mastery and excellence of Italian design. Each one is a unique piece, the result of craftsmanship and innovation,” said President of the IPZS Paolo Perrone.

The official press release added that, “The medals feature two halves brought together by the Olympic and Paralympic values, reflecting the culmination of an athlete’s journey and all of those who stood by their side along the way.”

We’ll keep covering every aspect of the 2026 Winter Olympics as we slowly get closer to the big moment. From athlete profiles to course previews and travel tips, stay tuned to FREESKIER.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 take place next year from February 6 – 22, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from March 6 – 16, 2026.