{
  "id": 9882874,
  "title": "(Asiad) Swimmers lament decision not to award medals to relay heat participants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/asiad-swimmers-lament-decision-not-to-award-medals-to-relay-heat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T01:31:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260926000800315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asiad swimmers express disappointment over lack of medals for relay heat participants, as the organizing committee decides not to award physical medals. South Korean swimmer Kim Min-seop, who won bronze in the men's 200m butterfly, learned he would not receive medals for participating in the heats of two relays. The Korea Swimming Federation (KSF) confirmed the decision, stating it marks a shift from international swimming tradition and is an attempt to cut costs. Other swimmers, including An Se-hyeon who won bronze in the women's 4x100m medley relay, expressed regret that preliminary swimmers are not being recognized. They argue that without medals, those who only swam in the heats are unfairly excluded from the glory of the competition.",
  "summary": "TOKYO, Sept. 26 (Yonhap) -- By taking bronze in the men's 200-meter butterfly at...",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean swimmers protest against no medals for relay heat participants",
    "Korea Swimming Federation justifies decision as cost-cutting measure",
    "Disappointed swimmers argue preliminary participants should receive medals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}