This is what the medals of the 2026 Winter Olympics look like. They are a visual story about the power of unity

The medals of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics were presented in Venice. The Italian project is a tribute to unity and proof that sport and art are closely related worlds.

While most of us are thinking about a cool Aperol today, the Italians decided to cool things down a bit. Or rather, to remind us that winter is just around the corner. On July 15, in Venice , one of the most anticipated symbols of the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was revealed: the medals . And it must be admitted—they're like Italian cinema: sensual, symbolic, and full of contrasts.

"An Olympic medal isn't just a piece of metal. It's every moment when it would have been easier to give up, but we decided to keep fighting," said Alessia Maurelli, a two-time Olympic medalist in rhythmic gymnastics, as quoted by Design Taxi.

In 2026, for the first time in history, the Winter Games will be held jointly in two cities. Across 195 events, 735 Olympic and 411 Paralympic medals will be awarded. This is the largest program in Winter Games history—both in terms of sporting achievements and symbolic significance. And the medals?

With their help, the Italians decided to tell a story—one about the power of unity despite differences. Each medal is divided into two halves : one perfectly smooth, the other distinctly textured. The mirror-like surface symbolizes peace and perfection, while the grainy one symbolizes the difficult path to the top.