Swimmers lament decision not to award medals to relay heat participants

Sep 26, 2026

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 4x200m freestyle relay. South Korea won silver and bronze in those races, respectively. Kim, who only took part in the heats for both, will still go into the record books as a medalist for both events but will not have physical medals as proof. "I was a little bummed out that I was not going to receive medals for those relays," Kim said. "At least I got this medal here today, and I can show it to my parents." An official with the Korea Swimming Federation (KSF) confirmed that the organizers of the Asiad had decided not to present medals to those who only compete in the heats for relays and to give them certificates instead. It represents a departure from a long-held tradition in international swi

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