{
  "id": 9889234,
  "title": "Swimmers lament decision not to award medals to relay heat participants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/swimmers-lament-decision-not-to-award-medals-to-relay-heat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T02:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260926/swimmers-lament-decision-not-to-award-medals-to-relay-heat-participants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kim Min-seop wins bronze in men's 200m butterfly at Asian Games.",
    "Disappointed over no medals for relay heats participation.",
    "KSF awards certificates, not medals, for heat-only competitors."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Asian Games' decision to award certificates instead of medals to relay heat participants deviates from customary practice in international swimming, disappointing athletes like Kim Min-seop.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Swimmers lament decision not to award medals to relay heat participants",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/swimmers-lament-decision-not-to-award-medals-to-relay-heat-9892657",
        "published": "2026-09-26T03:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}