Miu Goto, who was effectively the #2 pitcher for Team Japan during the Tokyo Olympics, will have her Olympic gold medal replaced, according to a recent report from CNN.
Nagoya (Japan) mayor Takashi Kawamura bit into Goto’s gold medal during a recent celebratory event, a happening that caused quite an uproar in Japan. The medal-biting was captured live on television and included Kawamura removing his required COVID-19 mask to perform the biting.
Medal-biting is a traditional photo op for Olympic medalists, particularly gold medalists, but is often associated only with that exclusive group.
According to a recent report from CNN, Nagoya officials received more than 8,000 complaints about Kawamura’s actions, including calls for the mayor’s resignation.
“With support from the International Olympic Committee and in line with her own intention, Ms Goto’s medal is now set to be exchanged for a new one,” Tokyo 2020 organizers said in a statement to Reuters.
During the Japanese professional season, Goto plays for Toyota Motor Corporation; the company was one of many persons and entities to issue a statement condemning Kawamura’s actions, describing the medal-biting as “inappropriate.”
