Why Do Athletes Bite Their Medals,Fascinating History Behind the Iconic Podium Pose at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics
Global sporting spectacles like the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, or Asian Games take place, fans worldwide witness a familiar and iconic ritual on the podium: victorious athletes biting their hard-earned medals. While this classic pose makes for incredible photographs and viral social media moments, it is far more than a staged gimmick for the cameras. Rooted in centuries-old commerce and historic sporting traditions, this curious habit carries a surprising backstory that continues to captivate sports enthusiasts today.
The Ancient Origins of Biting Gold: Testing Purity
There are no official rules or organizational mandates requiring athletes to bite their medals; rather, the action is a continuation of a long-standing historical tradition. In ancient times, currency was minted from precious metals, and merchants would physically bite gold coins to verify their authenticity. Because pure gold is a relatively soft and malleable metal, applying pressure with teeth would leave distinct indentations or bite marks, proving that the coin was genuine rather than a counterfeit made of lead or brass.
This practice carried over into competitive sports during an era when champions were actually awarded solid gold medals. Until the 1912 Olympic Games, medals were minted from pure gold, prompting athletes to test the purity of their prizes with their teeth just like ancient traders. Although modern sports organizations stopped awarding pure gold medals decades ago, the symbolic tradition survived, evolving into the ultimate victory pose requested eagerly by photographers across the globe.
What Are Modern Medals Actually Made Of?
While athletes still playfully bite their medals on the podium today, the chemical composition of these prizes has completely changed. For major international events such as the Commonwealth Games currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland, gold medals are not solid gold. In fact, a modern gold medal contains only about 1 to 1.5 percent real gold, consisting primarily of 92.5 percent sterling silver coated with a fine gold plating layer. Meanwhile, silver medals are forged entirely from sterling silver, and bronze medals are crafted from durable bronze alloys.
For the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games, the meticulously crafted medals were designed by Glasgow-based designer Militsa Milenkova and manufactured by the renowned Birmingham crafts agency 'Toye, Canning & Spencer.' With each gold medal costing an estimated ₹1 to ₹2 lakh to produce, today's champions bite their medals purely for the sake of tradition, media engagement, and celebrating the culmination of years of rigorous athletic training.
