One of the most iconic pictures of the Olympics Games isan athleteposing witha medal between the teeth. Olympic medalists usually bite their medals when celebrating. But why?
When it comes to the biggest moments in sports history, the Olympic Games will probably be involved in most of them. Not only do they represent the biggest stage for athletes from any sport, but the Summer Olympics are also a special event that symbolizethe union between countries and gobeyond their sporting activities, involving culture and tradition.
Tokyo 2020has been an atypcal editionof the Olympics, with the Games taking place a year later than expected and with no spectators due to Covid-19. Therefore, fans were eagerly waiting for Paris 2024.
With the return of fans, the French capital is seeing large attendance numbers across different events, with supporters witnessing some of the traditions they’ve missed for so long. For instance, fans may have noticed how athletes continue to bite medals whenever they succeed.
The reason Olympiansbite their medals
At the moment of taking a picture after finishing on the podium, athletes will probably pose with their medals between their teeth. Why is that? Well,thetradition has to do with requests fromthe people behind the cameras.
Antoine Zeghdar and Jefferson-Lee Joseph of Team France line up after collecting their gold medals on the podium following the team’s victory in the Men’s Rugby Sevens Gold Medal match between France and Fiji on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
David Wallechisnky, president of the International Society of Olympic Historians, has explained to CNN thatOlympic winners bite their medalsbecausephotographers askthem to.
Those kinds of pictures are reportedly easier to sell and seem to have more chances of making it into the front page of a newspaper or used asthe main picture of an article. Now it became a habit for winning athletes,but only when facingthe photographers.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
