
Half-And-Half? Unique Medals For 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Revealed
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics medals were unveiled in Venice, attended by Federica Pellegrini and Francesca Porcellato. They symbolize athletes' journeys.
Organisers of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially revealed the medal designs for the upcoming Games, scheduled to take place next year.
The unveiling took place on Tuesday during a ceremony in Venice, attended by celebrated Italian sports icons Federica Pellegrini, an Olympic swimming champion, and Francesca Porcellato, a multi-sport Paralympic gold medallist.
The medals feature a unique design that combines two halves that symbolise the culmination of the athlete's journey and all those who have walked beside them along the way.
Each medal features the iconic Olympic five rings on one side, while the reverse is engraved with details of the event and the venue—a design mirrored for the Paralympic medals, which instead carry the Paralympic agitos symbol.
'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 Malagò, President of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation.
The medals were produced by the Italian State Mint (IPZS), which operates under the Ministry of Economy. Each piece symbolizes both national craftsmanship and the emotional journey of elite sport.
A total of 245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be awarded during the Winter Olympic Games. The Paralympic Games will see 137 medals presented in each of the three categories.
The unveiling of the Milano Cortina 2026 medals follows February's reveal of the mascots and April's reveal of the torches for the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic torch relays.
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 take place next year from 6-22 February, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from 6-16 March.
view comments
First Published:
July 15, 2025, 23:31 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Put nation first, shed your egos' - Mansukh Mandaviya's stern message to NSFs
New Delhi: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya addresses a press conference, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: 'Put the interest of the nation first and shed your egos if you truly wish for India to become a global sporting powerhouse,' said Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , delivering a forceful message to the country's national sports federations (NSFs). His statement comes after recurrent instances where NSFs have engaged in factionalism, misgovernance, and financial impropriety, which in turn have led to ongoing court cases and the formation of ad-hoc committees. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! At the 'Khelo Bharat Conclave' organised here on Thursday, Mandaviya met representatives of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), NSFs, corporates, and top sports administrators for a day-long brainstorming session. The minister outlined India's medal strategy for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games — aiming for a finish among the top 10 nations in the world — and discussed the efforts needed to make the country a sporting force by 2047. 'Sport is a public movement. We can set goals and achieve them only if we all work together. We have to shed our egos, focus on comprehensive planning, and convert plans into substantial output,' Mandaviya said in his keynote address. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Mandaviya put the onus on the NSFs to take the lead and begin the process of good governance on a war footing. Among other topics, critical discussions were held on the upcoming 'National Sports Governance Bill', which will be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament starting July 21. While athletes remain at the heart of the Khelo Bharat Niti (national sports policy), the government highlighted how federations, state governments, and corporate houses must play a major role in ensuring India finishes among the top 10 nations in the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics. 'We need to assess at once where we are and where we want to go. To begin with, I urge the NSFs to provide me with a five-year policy by August, and then we can develop a 10-year plan. With the Asian Games in 2026, we need a holistic approach because we not only want to win medals at the Olympics but also make sports a commercial property — where we can invite the world to come and play in India and boost sports tourism,' he said. The discussions also revolved around producing quality coaches, grooming sports administrators, developing the sports goods business, and controlling the menace of doping. 'We are happy to provide all support to NSFs, but going forward, we will also start looking at performance-based grants. This will ensure that we are focused and serious with our planning and how we run the game,' he added. The ministry urged NSFs to prepare a proper calendar of events so that athletes do not suffer logistical issues. Mandaviya informed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA — football's global governing body — and international federations (IFs) were deeply consulted during the drafting stage of the governance bill to incorporate their suggestions and work on the objections raised. The minister said he even held discussions with former sports minister and Congress leader Ajay Maken, who was instrumental in the passage of the National Sports Development Code of India in 2011. 'IOC was consulted as well, along with IFs. FIFA had a query, and I sent an officer to their headquarters to discuss it with them. The bill is now ready. I did a series of consultations with NSFs, athletes, coaches and also received 600 inputs from the public when the draft was put online for suggestions. I also had a three-hour meeting with sports lawyers to understand their perspective,' he said. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!


News18
28 minutes ago
- News18
'My Bag Came Flying Out Of Dressing Room': Lara Recalls 1st Meeting With Viv Richards
Lara played one ODI match for the West Indies under Viv Richards' leadership, and in that fixture (vs. England) he added 20 runs for the fourth wicket with him. Brian Lara and Viv Richards are among the greatest cricketers of all time. The duo played more than 100 matches for the West Indies team in both the Test and ODI formats of the game and were considered players who were well ahead of their time. Richards was part of the West Indies team from 1974 to 1991, and Lara represented the Men in Maroon from 1990 to 2007. During his early days in international cricket, Lara got a chance to share the dressing room with Richards' and he was over the moon when he learnt about the opportunity of being in the same team as his hero. But Lara's first meeting with the Master Blaster wasn't like the one he had imagined. The left-handed batter opened up about his first encounter with Richards on the Stick to Cricket podcast and recalled how Viv was not very kind to him. 'I got an opportunity to play with him (Richards). My first Test match was in Trinidad, and I got the letter from the board: 'You're on the team. Report at 9 AM tomorrow morning for practice"," Lara said. 'And I got there at 8 AM, started a little practice in the Queen's Park Oval with my brother, and then the team arrived. And these are all my heroes—Viv (Richards), (Gordon) Greenidge, (Desmond) Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, everybody, all the big boys—and they went into the dressing room. Tiny dressing room in those days, and I said to my brother, 'It's time I go say hello to my teammates." 'And while I was walking to the dressing room, my cricket bag came flying out of the dressing room and spat everything just all over the place. I picked it up, packed it back, and walked back into the dressing room. And where I placed my bag is where Sir Vivian placed his bag. So I spent the first 5 days of my Test career in the bathroom," Lara said. Lara played only one international match (ODI) for the West Indies with Richards' and in that game (vs. England at Lord's on May 27, 1991), he added 20 runs with him for the fourth wicket. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025: Transformative Blueprint To Redefine India's Sporting Landscape
The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is a visionary policy with the potential to elevate India's sporting stature and societal fabric Launched on July 1, 2025, by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, this policy replaces the 2001 National Sports Policy and aligns with the ambitious vision of making India a global sporting powerhouse by 2047, with a specific eye on hosting the 2036 Olympics. The policy outlines a strategic roadmap built on five pillars: Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic Development, Sports for Social Development, Sports as a People's Movement, and Integration with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Khelo Bharat Niti – 2025 emerges as a bold initiative, marking a significant evolution from its predecessor by recognising sports as a multifaceted tool for nation-building. Unveiled just a week ago, on a date that aligns with India's growing global aspirations, this policy leverages the country's youthful demographic—median age 28 years—as a foundation for holistic development. With the 2036 Olympics bid in sight, the policy's comprehensive framework aims to address historical shortcomings in talent development, infrastructure, and inclusivity. The policy's timeliness resonates with India's current momentum, offering a roadmap to transform sports into a catalyst for economic growth, social cohesion, and educational reform by 2047. The first pillar focuses on achieving international sporting excellence by strengthening the ecosystem from grassroots to elite levels. The policy's emphasis on talent identification through national platforms and equitable infrastructure development is a critical step, given India's modest Olympic medal tally. By integrating community engagement at the block level with regular talent scouting camps, it seeks to unearth champions from remote areas. However, the success of this pillar depends on overcoming logistical challenges, such as ensuring consistent funding and trained coaches. The policy's alignment with the 2036 Olympics goal is ambitious, but without a clear timeline for infrastructure rollout, it risks echoing the uneven progress of past initiatives like Khelo India. The second pillar positions sports as an economic driver, with initiatives like sports tourism, equipment manufacturing under 'Make in India,' and a Sports Startup & Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme. Hosting international tournaments could boost tourism revenue and create jobs, while a robust manufacturing sector promises innovation and employment. As Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has stated, 'We are committed to building a sports ecosystem that not only produces world-class athletes but also drives economic growth through private sector collaboration," reflecting his vision for leveraging the involvement of over 40 companies adopting Olympic disciplines, signaling a strong private-public partnership (PPP) model. However, the financial sustainability of sports assets and the scalability of startups remain untested. Effective oversight and incentives for private investment are essential to realise this economic potential by 2047. The third pillar prioritises social inclusion, targeting underrepresented groups—women, tribal communities, and persons with disabilities—through dedicated facilities and leagues. The promotion of indigenous games and international sports exchanges enhances cultural preservation and diplomatic ties, aligning with India's soft power goals. This inclusive approach could foster a sense of belonging and empower youth, but its implementation requires addressing cultural barriers and ensuring equitable resource distribution. The policy's success in this area will hinge on sustained community engagement and policy enforcement to eliminate discrimination, making it a cornerstone for social progress. Pillar 4: Sports as a People's Movement The fourth pillar envisions sports as a mass movement, promoting physical and mental well-being through initiatives like the 'Khelo Bharat Steps a Day Challenge' and Fitness Ranking systems. By integrating sports into leisure and education, it aims to reduce chronic health issues and foster community bonds. The involvement of National Sports Federations (NSFs) with schools and the development of social sports hubs at block levels are promising steps. Yet, the challenge lies in overcoming urban-rural disparities and underutilised facilities. A participatory approach, with regular community events, could cement sports as a cultural norm by 2047. Pillar 5: Integration with NEP 2020 The fifth pillar integrates sports with the NEP 2020, mandating its inclusion in school curricula and teacher training. This move could cultivate a sports-centric culture from an early age, blending academic and athletic growth. By fostering partnerships with local sports organisations and developing talent within educational settings, it addresses the need for early intervention. However, rural schools lack the infrastructure and trained educators to implement this effectively. A phased rollout with adequate resources is crucial to ensure this integration enhances both education and sports development by 2047. GROUND-LEVEL SUGGESTIONS 1. Talent Scouting Hubs To operationalise the policy, establish district-level talent scouting hubs in collaboration with schools and NGOs. These hubs should conduct quarterly camps using mobile sports vans equipped with basic gear to reach remote areas. A pilot in 50 districts, focusing on tribal and rural zones, could be launched by the end of 2025, with data tracked via a digital platform for transparency. This would ensure early talent identification, aligning with the grassroots focus of the policy. 2. Mini Sports Hubs Enhance infrastructure by converting underutilised public spaces into mini sports hubs. Local governments should partner with corporate CSR funds to install multi-purpose courts and provide maintenance grants. Quarterly 'Community Sports Days" involving local athletes and volunteers could sustain engagement and identify maintenance needs. Initiating this in 100 blocks by mid-2026 would improve accessibility and participation rates. 3. Teacher Training Programme Empower teachers through a decentralised training programme, conducting regional workshops led by certified coaches. These workshops should focus on physical literacy and indigenous games, with incentives like credits or stipends to ensure 80% of physical education teachers are trained within two years. Starting this in 2025 across 500 districts would build local capacity and support NEP 2020 integration. 4. Inclusive Sports Leagues Launch 'Inclusive Sports Leagues" in every block, targeting women and differently-abled individuals with adapted sports like wheelchair basketball. Prizes funded through local sponsorships and a mentorship programme pairing retired athletes with participants could boost morale. Rolling this out in 2026 across 700 blocks would foster inclusivity and talent development. 5. Vocational Training Promote economic benefits by training youth in sports equipment repair and manufacturing through state-level vocational centers linked to 'Make in India'. Six-month courses starting in 2025, followed by annual 'Sports Bazaar' events in each district, could create micro-entrepreneurs and link local talent to markets, enhancing economic impact. 6. Monitoring Committees Establish block-level sports committees comprising panchayat representatives, educators, and athletes to submit quarterly reports on participation, infrastructure use, and talent progression to a national dashboard. An annual 'Khelo Bharat Review" with public feedback sessions, beginning in 2026, would ensure accountability and adaptability. CONCLUSION: A PATH TO 2047 top videos View all The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is a visionary policy with the potential to elevate India's sporting stature and societal fabric. Its multi-pillar approach addresses excellence, economy, inclusion, mass participation, and education, setting a robust foundation for the 2036 Olympics bid. However, its success depends on meticulous grassroots execution, overcoming governance challenges, and fostering sustainable partnerships. By implementing these suggestions, India can transform its sporting dreams into reality, positioning itself as a global leader by 2047. Hemang Joshi is a BJP MP from Vadodara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. view comments Location : Vadodara, India, India First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:53 IST News opinion Opinion | Khelo Bharat Niti 2025: Transformative Blueprint To Redefine India's Sporting Landscape Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.