Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics unveil record-breaking sustainable medals worth thousands
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are set to begin on February 6, with the first medal events starting two days later. Over 17 days, athletes will compete in 116 events, aiming for one of the 1,146 medals crafted from recycled materials. These medals, designed with sustainability in mind, will be the most valuable in Olympic history.
The Games will run until February 22, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 15. The Paralympic programme includes 79 events across nine days. All medals—1,146 in total—will be presented in eco-friendly packaging, produced by Versalis (Eni).
The design of the Milano Cortina medals stands out with two interlocking halves. This symbolises both the athlete's personal journey and the support system behind them. Each gold medal contains enough precious metal to be worth roughly $2,170, the highest intrinsic value ever for an Olympic medal. Silver medals are valued at about $1,240, while bronze medals are worth around $5 to $6.
Production of the medals followed strict sustainability standards. Recycled metal and renewable energy were used, and the packaging was made from eco-friendly materials. However, no specific recycled metals have been disclosed, and no medals have yet been awarded as the Games are still to come.
The Milano Cortina 2026 medals will be awarded for the first time when competition begins on February 8. Their record-breaking value and sustainable production reflect the event's focus on innovation and environmental responsibility. The Paralympic Winter Games will then follow, continuing the tradition of high-performance sport with a reduced ecological footprint.
