Swimmers lament decision not to award medals to relay heat participants
TOKYO — By taking bronze in the men's 200-meter butterfly at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday, South Korean swimmer Kim Min-seop won his third medal of the competition — but his first physical medal. While discussing his performance with the media, Kim said he had learned that he would not receive medals for participating in the heats for the men's 4x100m freestyle relay and the men's…
Tokyo — South Korean swimmer Kim Min-seop secured a bronze in the men's 200-meter butterfly at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, marking his first physical medal of the competition. However, he expressed disappointment upon learning he would not receive medals for his participation in the heats of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay and the men's 4x200m freestyle relay.
South Korea secured silver and bronze in those races. Kim, who only contested the heats for both relays, will still be credited with medals in those events but will not possess physical medals to commemorate them. "I was a little bummed out that I was not going to receive medals for those relays," Kim stated. "At least I got this medal here today, and I can show it to my parents."
A spokesperson from the Korea Swimming Federation (KSF) confirmed that the Asian Games organizers had decided to award certificates instead of medals to those who only compete in the heats of relays, deviating from the customary practice in international swimming.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
