By Mari Yamaguchi
A Japanese mayor apologized Thursday for biting the Olympic gold medal of a softball player who had paid a courtesy visit after Japan beat the United States in the final.
Nagoya mayor Takashi Kawamura had praised pitcher Miu Goto during the Aug. 4 visit, but his eyes were glued to her medal. He asked her to put it around his neck. Kawamura then pulled down his face mask and bit into it.
“I’m really sorry that I hurt the treasure of the gold medalist,” Kawamura told reporters Thursday.
The mayor said the medal was undamaged, though he offered to pay for the cost of a new one.
Goto, however, has accepted the International Olympic Committee's offer of a replacement, according to Japanese media reports.
The medal bite has become a staple of Olympic photo-ops — but for the winners themselves, not others.
The scene broadcast on television prompted thousands of complaints to city hall. Some Olympians said they treat their medals as treasures and that it was outrageous for Kawamura to bite one.
“I would cry if that happened to me,” Naohisa Takato, who won gold for Japan in judo, said in a tweet. “I handle my own gold medal so gently not to scratch it.”
Yuki Ota, a silver-medal winning fencer, said the mayor's action was disrespectful to athletes and was a bad idea for COVID-19 measures.
Goto reportedly considered keeping the original but eventually accepted the IOC offer of a replacement.
If you're wondering what to get for the person who has everything? Here are a few unique options under $100 that should surprise and delight.
Psychic medium Christopher Allen explains how he understands messages from the spirit world and helps people use that information to better their lives.
The Charcuterie Queen Corrina Cafarelli shares some easy ideas for a holiday board that are sure to please all of your guests.
Sarah Fennel, baker and recipe developer with Broma Bakery, joined Cheddar News to show which desserts can travel with you to see friends and family and also showed how to make a fudge brownie.
A new study from Ohio State University says that snacking throughout the day could add up to a fourth meal.
This year's winners of the I Love My Librarian Award, $5,000 honors presented by the American Library Association, took on a lot more than selecting books and fighting bans.
Actor Jonathan Majors has been convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend during a confrontation in New York City earlier this year.
Nicki Minaj just reached a milestone that no other woman in rap has reached.
Jack Harlow is making his way to the Metaverse, as the rapper is set to perform a VR concert that will be accompanied by a documentary.
A Utah mother of six who gave parenting advice via a once-popular YouTube channel called “8 Passengers” has pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse for abusing and starving two of her children.
