Why do Olympic winners bite their medals?
Biting Olympic medals has been a famous pose among Olympic winners over the years. Notable athletes like iconic sprinter Usain Bolt, most decorated U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, and the country’s very own Carlos Yulo, who bagged two gold medals in gymnastics, have been pictured biting their gold. What exactly is the meaning behind it?
According to the Olympics website, contrary to common belief, the famous tradition is not an act of “purity" or authenticity check of the materials of the medals. ICYDK, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) previously awarded pure gold medals, but has since stopped in 1912.
So what was the reason behind the pose? The committee said it stemmed from the photographers.
for the artistic gymnastics men's floor exercise during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP
“It’s become an obsession with the photographers,” said David Wallechinsky, president of the International Society of Olympic Historians and co-author of The Complete Book of the Olympics, previously told CNN.
“I think they look at it as an iconic shot, as something that you can probably sell. I don’t think it’s something the athletes would probably do on their own,” he added.
David Moeller, a German luger, broke his tooth after doing the famous pose when he bagged a silver medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
This year’s medals were made extra special as they contain a piece of the Eiffel Tower. Designed by the French jewelry house Chaumet, each medal has fragments of iron that were removed from the iconic landmark during its renovations.
The iron from the Eiffel Tower was formed into a hexagon with fine lines projecting around it. Placed in the center is the emblem that was imprinted with the words “Paris 2024” and the Olympics logo.
On the other side is a carved image of the Greek goddess of victory, Athena Nike, with the Panathenaic stadium to her left and the Eiffel Tower to her right.