Shining debut: 2026 Olympic medals made from recycled metal!

Shining debut: 2026 Olympic medals made from recycled metal!

Anticipation is growing for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy: today the organizers presented the medals designed by Italy's national mint. These special awards, which are given in both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, impress with their innovative design and environmentally friendly production. So reported BR.de that the medals are made of recycled metal, which is obtained from our own production waste.

The medals consist of a shiny and a matte half, which is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also symbolizes the connection between the two venues. Federica Pellegrini, Olympic champion and one of the most recognizable voices in Italian sport, presented the medals during a ceremony in Venice. The details are also remarkable: with a diameter of 80 mm and a thickness of 10 mm, the gold medals weigh 500 grams plus 6 grams of gold, while the silver medal weighs 500 grams 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 feature the iconic Olympic rings and the Paralympics symbol on one side. The games logo is emblazoned on the other side. Another innovative feature is the option for each medal to be individually engraved with the respective discipline and other information. The event took place in the picturesque Palazzo Balbi on the Grand Canal in Venice, surrounded by strong media attention.

“The medals don’t break,” emphasized Giovanni Malagò, president of the organizing committee. The medals are not only beautiful, but also durable thanks to an environmentally friendly, non-toxic and recyclable protective coating. Loud Augsburger Allgemeine The new design shows a conscious use of materials, while the casting work is carried out in induction furnaces powered by renewable energy.

A critical look at the environmental impact

Despite the positive tone, the 2026 Winter Olympics are also being criticized. Environmentalists are raising concerns about infrastructure plans in the UNESCO World Heritage region of the Dolomites. According to the Energy future The International Alpine Protection Commission is demanding more transparency and sustainable solutions from the Olympic Committee. It is criticized that the region could not derive long-term benefits from the games, while high debts and environmental damage are the main concerns of citizens.

Another hot topic is the need for artificial snow, which has increased due to climate change and creates additional environmental costs. The strike point is clear: How sustainable can such major events actually be when infrastructure is often only used once and then discarded? These questions will certainly play a central role in the preparations for the upcoming games.

The Olympic Games will take place from February 6th to 22nd, 2026, while the Paralympic event will take place from March 6th to 15th, 2026. It remains to be seen how the organizers can manage the challenges while living the spirit of the Games.