fbpx
Connect with us

Social Stories

“Germ medal” Japanese Mayor Bites Olympian’s Gold Medal On ‘Impulse’, Faces Massive Public Backlash

Published

Ft Medal Mayor Bite
Source: The Mainichi

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

The biting of medals is a common habit at the Olympics but is usually reserved for winners and not others.

This was all changed when a Japanese mayor was hit with a barrage of criticism for sinking his teeth into an Olympic gold medal won by the Japanese women’s softball team.

According to The Mainichi, Nagoya mayor Takashi Kawamura bit into 20-year-old pitcher Miu Goto’s medal during a celebratory event on 4 August, where the pitcher was visiting the municipal government following the team’s victory against the USA in the finals.

When Goto put the medal around the mayor’s neck, he grabbed it and said, “It’s heavy”, before taking off his mask and suddenly biting it without her permission.

He was accused by social media users as well as athletes for ignoring Covid-19 restrictions and lacking respect towards the athlete. This apparently led to the term “Germ medal” to trend on Japanese social media.

This prompted Japanese silver medallist fencer Yuki Ota to share his thoughts on it via Twitter. “First, he lacks respect for the athletes who have had to put their medals around their own necks or ask their teammates to do so as part of anti-infection measures. And now he bites the medal? It’s inconceivable to me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Japanese judo gold medallist Naohisa Takato said that “I handle my own gold medal so gently not to scratch it. I would cry if that happened to me.”

Even Toyota Motor Corp which owns the club, Red Terriers which Goto plays for, has criticized Kawamura, stating in a statement, “It was an unworthy act and lacked respect” for the athlete’s long-running efforts that helped the national softball team clinch victory.

“We truly hope that the mayor will behave appropriately as a leader” 

The 72-year-old mayor after reportedly receiving thousands of complaints from city authorities has since apologised for his actions via a press conference on 5 August and offered to pay for a replacement medal.

“I forgot my position as Nagoya mayor and acted in an extremely inappropriate way. I saw the gold medal that I had admired and acted on impulse. I made the symbol of years and years of hard work dirty. I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” he told reporters.

The mayor has also reportedly spoken with Yasuhiro Yamashita, president of the Japanese Olympic Committee, over the phone on Thursday to say sorry as well as sent a letter of apology to Toyota.

A statement from the organisers of Tokyo 2020 on Thursday said that a replacement had been agreed between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Goto, with the IOC covering the costs.

What would happen if this happened to one of our medallists? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

 

Also read: Influencers Camp Till Midnight At Chinese Olympic Diver’s Village For Content, Steal Jackfruit As Souvenir

Quan Hong Chan

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Feat Image Death Feat Image Death
News8 hours ago

18yo Teen in Penang Dies from Electrocution While Charging His Smartphone Using Socket on Express Bus

A teenager has tragically died in Butterworth, Penang, after he was electrocuted while charging his smartphone using a socket onboard...

Feat Image Twin Tower Feat Image Twin Tower
News11 hours ago

M’sian Activist Urges KLCC Twin Towers be Renamed “Sabah & Sarawak” in Honour of The Borneo States

Malaysian activist and founder of Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS) Peter John Jaban has urged for the KLCC Twin Towers to...

Collage 13 Collage 13
News11 hours ago

“They’ve been here over 3 months” – Foreign Beggars at Johor Pasar Malam Make up to RM12,000 a Month

Foreign beggars are making up to RM12,000 a month at a night market in Johor. In an official statement by...

Feat Image Parking Fine Feat Image Parking Fine
News13 hours ago

M’sian Vehicle Owners with Unpaid Parking Fines Face CTOS Blacklist as They’re Now Added to The System

The Miri City Council (MCC) has introduced a new measure to ensure that vehicle owners in Sarawak’s second-largest city adhere...

Feat Image Arrest Feat Image Arrest
News13 hours ago

Thai Police Arrests Famous Kelantanese Female Celebrity at Golok Hotel for Possession of 6,000 Meth Pills

A popular Kelantanese female singer was arrested by the Thai Police at a hotel in Golok, Narathiwat, north of the...

Collage 12 Collage 12
News16 hours ago

Kelantan Govt Says Cinemas in the State Must Play Movies With Lights On to Prevent ‘Unhealthy’ Activities

After a few decades, Kelantan remains one of the states in Malaysia that don’t have cinemas. The state government, however,...

Feat Image Indo Ban Pixel Feat Image Indo Ban Pixel
News1 day ago

“Who’s next?” – After Apple iPhone 16 Series, Indonesia is Now Banning Google Pixel Smartphones in The Country

Previously, we shared how Apple’s latest flagship smartphone series, the iPhone 16 Series, is currently banned from being sold in...

Feat Image Bnm New Rule Feat Image Bnm New Rule
News2 days ago

Bank Negara Now Requires All Money Changers in Malaysia to Record Full Name & IC Number of Customers

If you’re planning on visiting your local authorised money changer before that overseas trip to change Malaysian Ringgit banknotes to...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY