Athletes from all around the world clinched medals at Tokyo Olympics 2020. After going back home, Olympic medalists received heartwarming receptions from their family and friends.
The shining Olympic medal also has its own craze, as everyone wants to get a look at it. However, something unexpected happened in Japan. A Japanese mayor lost control of his excitement and chomped on the Olympic gold medal.
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Mayor bites softball athlete Miu Goto’s gold medal
Softball made a comeback at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, after being absent in two consecutive Olympic games. The host nation clinched the gold medal in the sport, defeating Olympic powerhouse USA.
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Softball – Women – Opening Round – Canada v Japan – Yokohama Baseball Stadium – Yokohama, Japan – July 25, 2021. Miu Goto of Japan in action. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Miu Goto, who was part of the winning team, went back to her city Nagoya after the mega-event. In an event to celebrate the winning champion, the mayor of the city of Nagoya was also present.
In his moment of excitement, Takashi Kawamura, the mayor, lowered his mask and took a bite of the Olympic medal. While a lot of Olympians do the same act, it was unusual for a Mayor to perform such an act to someone else’s medal.
The mayor was criticized for his disrespectful act and also went against COVID protocols. Social media users called it the ‘germ medal.’
Olympic officials will swap the medal for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 medalist
The Olympics officials have addressed the unacceptable behavior. Following which they will swap the Olympic medal with a new untouched one for Miu Goto. The International Olympic Committee has also agreed to bear the costs.
Olympic silver medalist Yuki Ota also came forward to criticize the act. She posted on Twitter saying, “Apart from showing a lack of respect for athletes, he bit it even though (athletes) are putting on medals themselves or on their teammates during the medal ceremonies as part of infection prevention measure. Sorry, I can’t understand. “?
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Table Tennis – Men’s Team – Medal Ceremony – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – Tokyo, Japan – August 6, 2021. Ma Long of China awards teammate Xu Xin of China his gold medal on the podium REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
Athletes had to follow strict protocols during the mega-quadrennial games, and it was unusual for them to wear medals themselves. The IOC even informed them they should not do the traditional medal bitting pose because it’s not edible.
After facing backlash, even from Tokyo Olympics 2020 sponsors, the mayor apologized for his actions. Takashi also offered to pay for the replacement.
Also read: Softball and Baseball to Be Removed From the Olympic Sports After Tokyo Olympics 2020
