{
  "id": 9892657,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T03:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260926/swimmers-lament-decision-not-to-award-medals-to-relay-heat-participants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Tokyo, a South Korean swimmer named Kim Min-seop secured his third medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday, but his was the first medal of his career. However, a decision made by the competition organizers has left swimmers feeling disappointed. Kim, a bronze medalist in the men's 200-meter butterfly, expressed his frustration over not receiving physical medals for participating in the heats of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay and the men's 4x200m freestyle relay. South Korea's team achieved silver and bronze in those respective events. Although Kim will be recorded as a medalist for both relays, he will not have physical medals to show for his efforts. An official from the Korea Swimming Federation confirmed that the organizers had decided not to present medals to swimmers who only compete in relay heats, opting instead to award them with certificates. This marks a shift from the customary practice in international swimming events.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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",
        "published": "2026-09-26T02:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}