The medals for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, unveiled in Venice on Tuesday, embody a striking metaphor of collaboration. Designed as "two halves coming together," they reflect the historic partnership between Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo—the first dual-city hosts in Winter Games history.
Organizers described the medals as a "graphic abstraction capturing the union of two halves in perpetual motion," featuring Olympic rings on one side and event-specific engravings on the reverse. A total of 1,146 medals will be awarded across 195 events during the Winter Olympics (February 6–22) and Paralympics (March 6–15).
The Games will span northern Italy, with Milan hosting ice sports and Cortina d'Ampezzo—part of the Veneto region—staging women’s Alpine skiing, curling, and sliding events. This decentralized model highlights Italy’s diverse landscapes, offering potential economic opportunities for local businesses and fresh travel experiences for visitors.
With their bold, unified design, the medals aim to celebrate both athletic excellence and cross-regional cooperation—a theme resonating with global audiences ahead of the 2026 spectacle.
Reference(s):
Medals for 2026 Winter Olympics represent "two halves coming together"
cgtn.com