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AIBU?

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Original poster

Medal ceremony

28 replies

CushionsandCandles · 27/07/2021 19:42

I can't help think how sad it is the medalists at the Olympics have to wear masks.
They have devoted there whole lives to becoming the best in their sports.
They are allowed to compete without masks and are spaced 2m apart on the podium.
Yet they stand there and sing their national anthems behind masks and miss they moment of pride and recognition for all they have achieved.

AIBU to think that they should be able to remove their masks for this whole 5 minutes?

OP posts:
HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 27/07/2021 19:43

Anti-maskers are really scraping the barrel now...

Original poster
CushionsandCandles · 27/07/2021 19:48

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

Anti-maskers are really scraping the barrel now...
That is beyond a cheap shot. I am a healthcare professional and work with COVID patients and am as far from anti-masker as you can get.
OP posts:
KingdomScrolls · 27/07/2021 19:48

I don't think that's the shame of it do you? If there's anything for them to be upset about its their family but being allowed to be there, how long has Tom Daley worked for that gold medal, he finally gets it after his father has died, his mum and his husband couldn't even be there to watch. I'm not sure they're that bothered about wearing a mask for five minutes. I feel for Japan as hosts too, housing an Olympics is hugely expensive but some of that is usually offset by a massive burst of tourist activity. They get all of the costs and very little of the revenue.

KingdomScrolls · 27/07/2021 19:48

*hosting

Original poster
CushionsandCandles · 27/07/2021 19:51

@KingdomScrolls

I don't think that's the shame of it do you? If there's anything for them to be upset about its their family but being allowed to be there, how long has Tom Daley worked for that gold medal, he finally gets it after his father has died, his mum and his husband couldn't even be there to watch. I'm not sure they're that bothered about wearing a mask for five minutes. I feel for Japan as hosts too, housing an Olympics is hugely expensive but some of that is usually offset by a massive burst of tourist activity. They get all of the costs and very little of the revenue.
Yes completely agree. I guess the mask for that 5 minutes just reminds us that whilst they have achieved their dreams it's been done under this massive cloud.
OP posts:
Pedalpushers · 27/07/2021 19:51

It's a shame just like everything in the pandemic has been. They still get to live for the rest of their lives with a massive achievement and I'm sure that 5 minutes will soon be a blip in their memory of winning.

Mangozesty · 27/07/2021 19:52

@KingdomScrolls

I don't think that's the shame of it do you? If there's anything for them to be upset about its their family but being allowed to be there, how long has Tom Daley worked for that gold medal, he finally gets it after his father has died, his mum and his husband couldn't even be there to watch. I'm not sure they're that bothered about wearing a mask for five minutes. I feel for Japan as hosts too, housing an Olympics is hugely expensive but some of that is usually offset by a massive burst of tourist activity. They get all of the costs and very little of the revenue.
Yes, this. I completely agree.
breakfasty · 27/07/2021 19:54

I doubt they feel sad, they are getting their medal. The mask is a powerful symbol of the hardships they've had to overcome this time.

ShadowInVain · 27/07/2021 19:55

I'm sure they still feel pride - no one will think the less of them for wearing masks.

In years to come they may even be more remembered than athletes at a normal games - 'Georgia Taylor-Brown won a silver during the Covid Olympics'.

I feel the athletes' achievements are all the greater for the struggle they must have had with the Covid impact on training, other competitions where they'd normally be able to 'pace' themselves against others and so on.

A huge well done to all the medallists so far, and especially to Team GB for a cracking start to the Games.

Bunnycat101 · 27/07/2021 19:59

I think it’s a shame too. They have reached the absolute peak of their professional lives and the photos of them on the podium are just a bit rubbish with masks. I can’t really see they make that much difference as they’re pretty spaced out.

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 20:01

There's no shame in it though. It is a moment I history and the medals earnt this year will always be more special for what they've had to go through in addition.

Anonymous48 · 27/07/2021 20:01

@breakfasty

I doubt they feel sad, they are getting their medal. The mask is a powerful symbol of the hardships they've had to overcome this time.
I completely agree with this.
gabsdot45 · 27/07/2021 20:04

In a way its more memorable. Everytime those Photos are shown people will know it was Japan 2021.
I'm sure they don't mind.
I thought it was cute the way the Russian gymnasts put the medals on each other

ajandjjmum · 27/07/2021 20:18

I did think the photo of Tom Daley with his mask, and the tears shedding from his eyes, was incredibly poignant.

chunderwunder · 27/07/2021 20:48

FFS. What is it with mask wearing in the UK? So much hyperbole and hysteria.

bridgetreilly · 27/07/2021 21:11

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. In those moments I am sure that all they are thinking about is their pride and happiness in their achievement, and the relief that the event was able to go ahead. How does wearing a mask spoil any of that?

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 21:12

@ajandjjmum

I did think the photo of Tom Daley with his mask, and the tears shedding from his eyes, was incredibly poignant.
Yes that is a really really striking image
Myusernameisnotmyusernameno · 27/07/2021 21:14

It is a huge shame but I guess it's another part of the shitshow

FAQs · 27/07/2021 21:15

They do for their photos.

FAQs · 27/07/2021 21:18

@ajandjjmum

I did think the photo of Tom Daley with his mask, and the tears shedding from his eyes, was incredibly poignant.
It was, they did all take them off a few minutes laters whilst still in the podium for their photos.
megletthesecond · 27/07/2021 21:21

I'm sure they're big enough and tough enough to cope with a mask. Japan is pro mask so it's polite to stick to it really.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 27/07/2021 21:22

I think its more of a shame that they have to put their own medals on. Love that some of the team medals they've put them on their team mates.

newnortherner111 · 27/07/2021 21:23

Whilst not ideal, perhaps it will remind a few people that the pandemic has not ended. Such as some Tory backbenchers.

Agree having to put your own medals on is more of a shame.

sleepyhoglet · 27/07/2021 21:23

Sad that their families can't be there in person and that they can't go out and enjoy the country or experience the Olympics as it should be

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 21:27

@FAQs

They do for their photos.
Ah that's nice to know. So they do get a picture without them on.
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