Shiny debut: Olympic medals 2026 made of recycled metal!

Shiny debut: Olympic medals 2026 made of recycled metal!

The anticipation for the Olympic and Paralympic winter games in 2026 in Italy is growing: Today, the organizers presented the medals designed by the national coin blanket. These special awards, which are awarded both in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, impress with their innovative design and environmentally friendly production. So reports Br.de is.

The medals consist of a shiny and a matt half, which is not only aesthetically appealing, but also symbolically stands for the connection of the two venues. Federica Pellegrini, Olympic champion and one of the most famous voices in Italian sport, presented the medals during a solemn event in Venice. The details are also remarkable: with a diameter of 80 mm and a thickness of 10 mm, the gold medals bring a weight of 500 grams plus 6 grams of gold, while the silver medal and the bronze medal weighs 420 grams.

striking designs and new functions

The medals for the Olympic and Paralympic competitions bear the names of the host cities and are provided with the iconic Olympic rings and the Paralympics symbol on one side. On the other hand, the logo of the games is emblazoned. Another innovative property is the possibility that each medal will be engraved individually with the respective discipline and further information. The event took place in the picturesque Palazzo Balbi on Canal Grande in Venice, framed by strong media attention.

"The medals don't break," emphasized Giovanni Malagò, the president of the organizational committee. The medals are not only beautiful, but also durable thanks to an environmentally friendly, non -toxic and recyclable protective coating. According to Augsburger General shows the new design with a conscious handling of materials, while the casting in induction furnaces is carried out with renewable energy become.

a critical look at the environmental impacts

Despite the positive coatings, the 2026 Winter Olympics are also criticized. Environmentalists express concerns about infrastructure plans in the UNESCO World Heritage region Dolomites. According to the energy future , the International Alpine Protection Commission calls for more transparency and sustainable solutions from the Olympic Committee. It is criticized that the region could not draw long -term benefits from the games, while high debts and environmental damage that the main worries of the citizens are.

Another hot topic is the need for artificial snow that has increased against the background of climate change and causes additional environmental costs. The strike point is clear: How sustainable can such major events actually be if infrastructure is often only used once and then rejected? These questions will certainly also play a central role in the preparations for the upcoming games.

The Olympic Games take place from February 6th to 22nd, 2026, while the Paralympic event takes place from March 6th to 15th, 2026. It remains to be seen how the organizers get the challenges under control and at the same time can live the spirit of the games.