The medals for the upcoming Winter Olympics were unveiled today. Beyond product design, they represent true symbols of achievement—objects that carry with them a deep, often invisible narrative: one of a shared journey, filled with effort and, at times, rebirth. The medals of Milano Cortina 2026 fully embrace this vision, becoming true design artifacts capable of telling, through materiality, a story of victory that is never solitary.

The concept is as simple as it is powerful: two halves coming together. The medals are designed as double-sided elements, two complementary faces that interlock to symbolize the bond between the athlete and the network of people who supported them—coaches, families, teams, communities. A symbolic gesture that also reflects the uniqueness of the Milano Cortina Games, the first Winter Olympics hosted by two different cities.

“With our medals we celebrate the strength of differences: two unique halves united by the Olympic and Paralympic symbols to convey a strong and unified message,” explains Raffaella Paniè, Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director. “We wanted the design to reflect the idea that every victory is built through collective strength, support, and unity.”

The result is an essential and contemporary object, carrying in its DNA the legacy of cutting-edge Italian design. The clean lines, clarity of volumes, and balance between glossy and matte textures reflect the same design philosophy that guided the “Essential” torch designed by Carlo Ratti: a pure, functional, deeply symbolic aesthetic.

But behind the formal beauty lies production excellence. The medals are crafted by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute, where the art of medal-making meets industrial precision. “The Mint brings together two essential and inseparable elements,” says Matteo Taglienti, International Sales Manager. “The artistic tradition of the School of Medal Art—where artists and engravers shape the volumes—and the industrial reality of cutting-edge production.”

Each medal is thus a unique object, not only technically perfect but also rich in meaning and layers. A project that places design at the heart of the Olympic narrative, transforming the act of awarding into a visual and cultural statement. Milano Cortina 2026 will not just be a sporting event: it will also be a celebration of Italian design as a tool to convey connection, shared values, and essential beauty.

Image credits: Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026