Our media friends in Philippines asked a pertinent question: why do Olympians bite their medals?

Perhaps to make sure that it is not a Toblerone chocolate; nor is it a test of authenticity as the use of “pure” gold medals ended in 1912.

So why Olympians still do? 

Initially, it might have been popularized by photographers looking for an interesting shot. Now it looks to be a symbolic act of victory tied closely to national pride accompanied by national flags and anthems.

The medal bites will continue long after the Paris 2024 Olympics, billed as a model how mega sport events will be staged and watched in the future. 

Asian nations will be celebrating. 

Sport powerhouse China shares the top Gold medal table with the United States which sensationally clinched the last competing Gold for the tie.  Japan and South Korea are among the 10 in the tally. The City of Hong Kong can also claim fame with the highest prize money for a Gold medalist at US$767,990. 

Many Asian countries will absorb national prides with individual milestones at the Paris 2024 Olympics:

As they say: “My country didn’t send me to start a race but to finish it”: Here crowds’ favourites must Bhutan’s Kinzang Lhamo and Mongolia’s Ser-Od Bat-Ochir, in the women and men Marathons, respectively. Both completed their marathons despite Lhamo being the first timer with no experience on flat ground running; while Bat-Ochir is the first person ever to run six Olympic marathons.

Pakistan: Javelin star Arshad Nadeem ended the country’s 40-year wait for Olympic gold.

Philippines: Carlos Yulo’s two Gold medals in men’s artistic gymnastics surpassed previous Team Philippines’s tally.

Indonesia: Rizki Juniansyah made history by securing Indonesia's first-ever Olympic gold in weightlifting. Veddriq Leonardo won gold in Men's Speed Climbing, marking Indonesia's first Olympic gold in this discipline.

Thailand: Taekwondo ace Panipak Wongpattanakitanipak is the first Thai two-time Olympic Gold medalist.

China: Chang Yuan became China's first woman Olympic champion in boxing. China claimed its first-ever Olympic Gold medal in artistic swimming.

Japan: Haruka Kitaguchi Won Gold in Women’s Javelin Throw - the 1st Japanese to win in the event. Gymnast Shinnosuke Oka claimed 3rd Gold –becoming the first Japanese athlete to win three gold medals at a single Olympics since the 1972 Munich Games.

South Korea:  Swept all five Gold medals in Archery - marking the best performance by in Olympic history.

Hong Kong: In a stunning comeback victory Vivian Kong Man-wai’s Gold is the third in the city’s Olympic history.

Source: Why do athletes bite their Olympic medals? | The Star
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/08/09/why-do-athletes-bite-their-olympic-medal