Imagine achieving the pinnacle of your sport, standing on the Olympic podium, and receiving a gold medal. Now imagine that same medal literally falling apart in your hands just hours later. This was the surreal reality for American figure skater Alysa Liu at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
Liu, a 20-year-old figure skater who had made a triumphant return to the sport after a brief retirement, helped lead Team USA to gold in the figure skating team event on February 8, 2026. During the post-competition celebrations, while jumping up and down in excitement, her gold medal separated from its ribbon and fell to the floor, becoming scratched and dented. The moment, which should have been one of pure joy, was instead marked by a bizarre and comical defect that would soon become a major talking point of the Games.
The “Liu Olympic medal broke” incident—alongside similar breakages affecting other athletes—prompted the Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee to launch a full investigation. The faulty medals were not a one-off issue but part of a pattern that raised serious questions about quality control at the highest level of sport.
Quick Bio: Who Is Alysa Liu?
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alysa Liu |
| Known For | U.S. Figure Skater, 2026 Olympic Gold Medalist |
| Profession | Figure Skater |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Clovis, California, USA |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 2005 |
| Age | 20 (at the time of the 2026 Olympics) |
| Ethnicity | Asian-American |
| Sport | Figure Skating |
| Olympic Medals | Gold (2026 Team Event) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
Who Is Alysa Liu?
Alysa Liu is a 20-year-old American figure skater who has been a rising star in the sport since her junior days. She made history by becoming the youngest U.S. women’s figure skating champion in 2019. She briefly stepped away from the sport but made a spectacular return in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team in the figure skating team event.
The 2026 Winter Olympics Medal Crisis
The breaking medal problem at the 2026 Winter Olympics wasn’t limited to Alysa Liu. On the same day, American skier Breezy Johnson also revealed that her gold medal from the women’s downhill event had broken in a similar fashion. Johnson showed reporters her damaged medal, explaining that the connecting piece between the medal and the ribbon had come apart. She warned fellow athletes not to jump in them.
A third case emerged from the German biathlon team, whose bronze medal also fell apart during celebrations. A viral Instagram video showed one of the athletes jumping up and down at the team hotel before the medal detached from the ribbon and hit the floor. The issue was becoming a pattern [8†L3-L6].
Alysa Liu’s Reaction to Her Broken Medal
Alysa Liu handled the situation with characteristic humor and grace. She posted a video on Instagram holding the medal and the ribbon in separate hands, with the caption: “My medal don’t need the ribbon”. In an interview, she said, “I was just jumping up and down, as one does to celebrate, and it just dropped. It just literally fell off of the ribbon. It got very scratched up… pretty dented”.
Despite the damage, Liu actually grew fond of the broken medal. “I actually liked it when it was off the ribbon,” she admitted. However, she was told by officials that she could not keep the damaged one. “I had to give it in. I was like, ‘Can’t you just fix this one? I’m attached.’ But it’s OK, I’m detached. Just like it was”.
Why Did the Olympic Medals Break?
The exact cause of the breakage was initially unclear. The medals featured a small piece that attached the ribbon to the medal, and this connecting piece was failing under the stress of celebration. Some theories suggested that the medals might have used a breakaway mechanism—a fitting required by law—to avoid the risk of injuring the winners when they wore them.
Whatever the cause, the incidents sparked a swift response from the Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee. Andrea Francisi, Chief Games Operations Officer, confirmed that officials were “fully aware of the situation” and were “paying maximum attention to the medals”.
The Fix and Aftermath
Following the initial reports, the organizing committee, working closely with the State Mint that produced the medals, quickly identified a solution. Luca Casassa, an Olympic committee spokesperson, announced on February 11 that “a solution has been identified, and a targeted fix has been put in place”.
Athletes whose medals had been affected were encouraged to return them for repair or replacement. Liu confirmed that she had to return her broken medal and was issued a new one.
The History of Broken Olympic Medals
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Olympic medals have suffered from quality issues. In January 2026, just months after the Paris 2024 Games, it was revealed that over 100 medalists had requested replacements due to medals showing signs of deterioration, including “tarnishing”. The Milan-Cortina 2026 incident only added to the scrutiny over the manufacturing and durability of Olympic medals.
Key Takeaways
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The Incident: Alysa Liu’s gold medal broke when she jumped up and down in celebration.
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The Athletes: Liu, Breezy Johnson, and a German biathlete all experienced broken medals.
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The Cause: A defective connecting piece between the medal and the ribbon.
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The Response: The IOC launched an investigation and offered repairs or replacements.
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The Resolution: Liu had to return her broken medal and received a new one.
FAQ Section
Who is Alysa Liu?
Alysa Liu is an American figure skater who won a gold medal in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Why did Alysa Liu’s Olympic medal break?
Liu’s medal broke because the piece connecting the medal to the ribbon detached while she was jumping up and down in celebration.
When did Alysa Liu’s medal break?
The medal broke on February 8, 2026, shortly after she won it.
Was Alysa Liu allowed to keep her broken medal?
No, Liu was not allowed to keep the broken medal. She had to return it so it could be replaced.
Did other athletes experience broken medals at the 2026 Olympics?
Yes, American skier Breezy Johnson and a German biathlete also experienced broken medals.
How did the IOC respond to the broken medals?
The IOC launched an investigation, identified a solution, and offered to repair or replace affected medals.
What was the cause of the broken medals?
The issue was with the small clasp that attaches the medal to the ribbon, which was failing under the stress of celebration.
Is this the first time Olympic medals have broken?
No, a similar issue occurred with medals from the Paris 2024 Olympics, where over 100 medalists requested replacements due to deterioration.
Final Thoughts
The story of Alysa Liu’s broken Olympic medal is a bizarre footnote in what was otherwise a triumphant moment for the American figure skater. While the faulty medal could have been a major disappointment, Liu’s lighthearted reaction—joking about being “detached” like the medal—turned it into a viral and memorable moment. It also served as a wake-up call for Olympic organizers to ensure that the symbols of athletic achievement are as durable as the athletes who earn them.
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