Milano‑Cortina medals feature a striking split‑surface design that symbolizes unity through contrast. Unveiled in Venice on July 15, Italy’s state mint (IPZS) crafted these 80 mm, 10 mm thick medals from recycled metals using renewable energy, combining a polished half and a textured half, joined by the Olympic rings or Paralympic Agitos. This elegant contrast reflects both the geographical duality of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and the emotional journey athletes undergo—from struggle to triumph.
The medals incorporate thoughtful accessibility and sustainability features: Paralympic versions include Braille inscriptions and raised edges, while all medals carry non-toxic, recyclable coatings. Production emphasizes craft as well as eco-conscious methods—recycled metal and renewable-powered casting—earning praise for marrying technical precision with symbolic meaning. As Raffaella Paniè, Brand and Identity Director, noted, “We celebrate the strength of differences: two unique halves joined through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols.”
Image Credit: International Olympic Committee