The image of an athlete victoriously biting their medal on the podium has become a familiar sight in modern sports. This seemingly quirky ritual, however, has a history and a mix of motivations behind it. The celebrated 1991 Great Britain 4x100m relay team, featuring Derek Redmond, John Regis, Roger Black, and Kriss Akabusi, were early adopters of this pose when they won gold at the World Championships in Tokyo.
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Two decades later, the tradition persists with Olympic icons like Michael Phelps continuing the practice. It’s not confined to track and field either; athletes across various sports, including football stars like Gareth Bale and tennis champions like Rafael Nadal, have been seen engaging in this medal-biting celebration. But what exactly compels these athletes to sink their teeth into their hard-earned accolades?
Historically, biting into gold was a rudimentary method for testing its authenticity. Pure gold is a soft metal, so teeth would leave an impression on genuine gold. While Olympic gold medals are now only marginally gold – primarily composed of sterling and recycled silver with a mere 6 grams of gold plating (around 1.34%) – the biting tradition has evolved beyond its practical origins.
Today, for most Olympians, biting medals is largely a symbolic gesture, often performed alongside more conventional celebratory poses. Many believe photographers play a significant role in perpetuating this trend. David Wallechinsky, President of the International Society of Olympic Historians, suggested to CNN in 2012 that, “It’s become an obsession with the photographers. 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.”
However, this celebratory bite isn’t without its risks. German luger David Moeller, a silver medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, famously chipped a tooth during his medal-biting celebration. Despite the potential dental hazards, the ‘medal bite’ photograph has undeniably cemented its place in sports culture and appears to be a lasting tradition.
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