Breezy Johnson Wins Gold, But Medal Breaks

The first gold medal won by a Team USA athlete at the 2026 Olympics broke almost immediately.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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U.S. skier Breezy Johnson, 30, of Idaho, became the second American woman ever to win the Olympic downhill at the 2026 Olympics. However, shortly after receiving her gold medal, the medal broke off its ribbon as Johnson was celebrating by jumping up and down. Johnson said the medal was heavier than expected, which may have caused the breakage. This issue has also affected other Team USA athletes, such as figure skater Alysa Liu, whose gold medal from the team event lost its ribbon.

Why it matters

Johnson's gold medal win is a historic accomplishment for Team USA, but the medal breaking raises questions about the quality and durability of the Olympic medals. This incident could become a distraction from the athletes' achievements and may require the organizers to address the issue.

The details

Johnson finished the downhill event in 1 minute and 36.10 seconds, holding off Emma Aicher of Germany by just 0.04 seconds. Italy's Sofia Goggia, the 2018 Olympic downhill winner and 2022 silver medalist, finished with the bronze. After receiving her gold medal, Johnson was celebrating by jumping up and down, and the medal came off its ribbon. There's a piece at the top of the medal where the ribbon is supposed to fit into, and that piece broke.

  • Breezy Johnson won the gold medal on February 9, 2026.
  • The medal broke shortly after Johnson received it.

The players

Breezy Johnson

A 30-year-old U.S. skier from Idaho who won the gold medal in the Olympic downhill event.

Emma Aicher

A German skier who finished second in the Olympic downhill event, 0.04 seconds behind Johnson.

Sofia Goggia

An Italian skier who won the bronze medal in the Olympic downhill event. She was the 2018 Olympic downhill winner and 2022 silver medalist.

Alysa Liu

A U.S. figure skater who also had her gold medal from the team event lose its ribbon.

Lindsey Vonn

The first U.S. skier to win the women's Olympic downhill, who crashed during the 2026 event.

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What they’re saying

“It's definitely heavy. Heavier than I expected. I think that's maybe why it broke.”

— Breezy Johnson (rocketcitynow.com)

What’s next

The Olympic organizers will likely need to investigate the issue with the medals and determine if any replacements or repairs are necessary.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of quality control and durability for the Olympic medals, which represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement. The breaking of Johnson's gold medal could become a distraction from the athletes' accomplishments if not properly addressed by the organizers.