Olympic medals are displayed during the unveiling of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on July 15, 2025 in Venice, Italy. Photo: VCG

The chief designer of the medals for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics told the Global Times on Wednesday that their designs highlight community, togetherness and positive vibes, after organizers unveiled the prestigious symbols on Wednesday.

The front and back of each medal feature two interlocking semicircles, symbolizing the collaboration between Milan and Cortina, and embodying the spirit of victory and the dedication behind achieving one's dreams, said Raffaella Panie, director of the Games' Brand, Identity and Look.

"The medal is divided into two halves, which represent the athlete on one side and all the teamwork that brought them there on the other," Panie told the Global Times in an exclusive interview. "It's a team effort that includes families, coaches and trainers."

Panie noted that throughout the design process, the organizing team spoke with athletes, one of whom told her that she always wanted to "divide my medal with the people who supported me."

This idea of sharing victory became central to the final look. "Sometimes it's about having the courage to stop adding and instead remove elements, to keep a pure, strong concept that gives space to the Olympic rings and the athlete," Panie said.

She added that the medals' craftsmanship stands out for its modern simplicity and innovative production. 

Unlike traditional methods that use molded casting, a coin production team used its own coin-striking process to make the medals' surface remain flatter and cleaner. 

Raffaella Panie, chief designer of the medals for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Photo: Courtesy of organizers

"The more we cleaned the medal and left that pure design of the two halves, the more it worked," Panie said.

Beyond the design, organizers hope the medals will convey a broader cultural message. 

"It's not only about coming to Italy for good food, wine and beautiful landscapes, but also about community, togetherness and the positive vibe people bring," Panie said, highlighting the Games' motto: It's Your Vibe. 

"We really want people to remember how much these Games will be about people and the sense of unity."

Comparing Milan-Cortina 2026's medals with those from Beijing 2022, Panie noted that while the Beijing design drew inspiration from traditional Chinese culture, the 2026 edition reflects Italy's modern spirit. 

"Beijing's medal is beautiful and deeply connected to the country's history and culture. For us, the curved and diagonal lines in our medals echo Italy's avant-garde movement, but in a contemporary way," she said.

On the front, the medals bear the Olympic rings or Paralympic symbol, while the reverse features the Games' emblems. 

The Paralympic medals include Braille inscriptions for visually impaired athletes. The edge of each medal also carries markings indicating whether it is gold, silver or bronze.

All medals are produced using an eco-friendly, fully recyclable coating and 100 percent renewable energy, according to the committee. 

"Each medal, whether Olympic or Paralympic, is a story etched into metal: It speaks of effort, determination, sacrifice and the hopes of those who have lived to reach the podium," said Giovanni Malago, president of Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee.

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics will be held from February 6 to 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 15, 2026.