Japan Mayor Apologizes for Biting Athlete's Gold Medal

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.

More In Culture

Understanding the So-Called 'Culture Jacking' of the Wicked Film Marketing Campaign

Vulture contributor Fran Hoepfner talks the Wicked film's marketing campaign, why 'culture jacking' works so well and how it all paid off for the hit musical.

Espresso Martini Craze Brews Success For Mr Black

As the coffee cordials category reaches $300 million dollars in the US, Australian spirits brand Mr Black explains their rise in popularity

It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?

It’s almost that time of year: Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users’ listening habits and year in audio.

Inside Kentucky's Booming $9 Billion Bourbon Economy

Managing Director of Maker's Mark, Rob Samuels, talks 25 years of Kentucky's famous Bourbon Trail and their contributions to the future of bourbon.

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make Gravity-Defying Theater Debuts

“Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales.

The Last Meatpacker in New York’s Meatpacking District Readies To Go

The last meatpackers in New York's Meatpacking District have agreed to end their leases early and make way for development on their city-owned lot.

Danny Trejo is Unearthing Mysteries with the History Channel

Danny Trejo joined Cheddar to discuss his upcoming show "Mysteries Unearthed" coming to the History Channel and his most recent entrepreneurial ventures.

Costco Just Recalled 80,000 Pounds of Butter for a Surprising Reason

The retailer announced a voluntary recall of almost 80,000 pounds of butter due to its packaging not having the phrase “Contains Milk.”

Mattel ‘Deeply’ Regrets Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Dolls Linking Adult Site

Toy giant Mattel says it “deeply” regrets an error on the packaging of its “Wicked” movie-themed dolls, which mistakenly links toy buyers to an adult site.

Many Retailers Offer ‘Returnless Refunds’ Without Talking About Them

It’s one of the most under-publicized policies of some of the biggest U.S. retailers: they give customers full refunds and let them keep the stuff.

Load More