Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Athletes at Tokyo Olympics adapt to changed medal presentation format
China's Yang Qian puts her gold medal on herself after it was presented by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, after winning the gold in the women's 10-meter air rifle at the Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo, Saturday. AP-Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, who are required to comply with the host's stringent rules and regulations to prevent COVID-19 infections, are adapting to changes in medal ceremonies. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), face masks must be worn at all Olympic venues, while social distancing must also be maintained and hugs as well as handshaking must be avoided when celebrating.
Over the weekend, medalists were seen hanging medals around their own necks as part of the IOC's efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by minimizing contact between people.
China's Yang Qian and Switzerland's Nina Christen, who won the gold medal and the bronze medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle event, respectively, put their medals on themselves after they were presented by IOC President Thomas Bach. Traditionally, medalists lean forward while dignitaries bestow a medal around their neck.
Yang was also spotted kissing her hard-won gold medal over her mask.
Archer Kim Je-deok, right, puts a gold medal around An San's neck at Yumenoshima Park Archery Field in Tokyo, Saturday, after winning the gold medal in the archery mixed team event. Yonhap
Korea's Kim Je-deok and An San, who won the first Olympic archery mixed team gold, gave each other a fist-bump and put gold medals around each other's necks during the medal ceremony on Saturday.
However, not all medalists abided by the rules.
On Sunday, swimmers were seen taking off their masks on the medal podium and hugging other competitors in violation of COVID-19 rules.
America's Chase Kalisz removed his mask on the podium after clinching the gold medal in the men's 400-meter medley, hugging silver medalist Jay Literland, who was also without a mask. Australia's Brendon Smith, who took the bronze medal, also took off his mask while celebrating.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams once again urged Olympic stakeholders to wear masks.
“We understand. We're all here, there's a lot of excitement. And of course, when you win a medal, we feel for the athletes. There are things unfortunately that we've had to make stricter,” he said. “There is no relaxation and we would ask everyone to obey the rules.”