Why Do Olympians Bite Their Medals? The Fun Behind the Tradition
Ever noticed how Olympians often take a big bite out of their medals during the victory ceremonies? It’s one of those quirky traditions that has everyone curious. What’s up with that? First, let’s rewind a bit. The ancient Olympic Games in Greece were all about crowning one ultimate champion. Fast forward to 1894 when the Olympics were revived by Pierre de Coubertin, and in 1896 for the first time, athletes started receiving silver and bronze medals. Back then, the top prize was a pure gold medal until 1912 when the First World War changed everything, and now gold medals are mostly gold-plated silver. So, why bite the medal? In ancient times, merchants were sneaky and often mixed other metals with gold. Buyers would bite into gold to check its purity since real gold, being soft, would show teeth marks. If the metal was hard, it wasn’t pure gold. This practice was a quick way to spot a fake. Source: Google images Nowadays, athletes aren’t worried about the purity of their medals. The biting has more to do with tradition and, honestly, giving the photographers what they want. A photo of an athlete chomping down on their medal has become a classic shot. It’s fun, it’s iconic, and it’s all over the place after every Olympics. Remember Usain Bolt? The legendary Jamaican sprinter bit into his gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and the photo became instantly famous. It’s not just about showing off the win but also about celebrating with a bit of flair and personality. Despite what you might think, biting the medal has zero impact on the athlete’s victory. It’s not about testing the medal’s authenticity or anything serious. It’s just a fun, symbolic gesture that ties the present-day games to the rich history of the Olympics. Plus, it makes for a great picture! Photographers love it because it captures the excitement and triumph of the moment. Athletes, always game for a bit of fun, are happy to oblige. It’s a win-win situation: athletes get a cool photo, and we get to enjoy their joyful celebrations. So, the next time you see an Olympian taking a playful bite of their medal, remember it’s all part of the fun. It’s a blend of old-school gold-testing, modern-day tradition, and a dash of personality that makes the Olympics so special. It’s all about celebrating victory with a touch of humor and a nod to the past.
