Dylan Bettencourt
The Japanese women’s softball team won Olympic gold, including Miu Goto.
But hers will have to be replaced after her hometown mayor chomped down on the medal.
Social media was outraged at the incident, stating the mayor had defied all Covid-19 regulations by pulling his mask down to take a bite of the gold medal.
Goto will not have to keep the chomped medal after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that they will send her a new one.
A Tokyo 2020 organiser said: “With support from the International Olympic Committee and in line with her own intention, Ms Goto’s medal is now set to be exchanged for a new one.”
Takashi Kawaruma, the mayor of the Japanese city Nagoya, was also criticised by Toyota Motor Corp who own the local team Goto plays for.
Twitter users were disgusted with the mayor’s actions, especially as Covid-19 cases in Japan continue to surge.
Kawaruma apologised for the incident on live television: “I forgot my position as Nagoya mayor and acted in an extremely inappropriate way. I am fully aware that I should reflect on that.”
The IOC will take on the costs of providing Goto with her replacement medal, with her bitten down medal going back to the Olympic Committee.
Image source: @Reuters
