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There's a ton of images that come out of the Olympics, but one of the most iconic each year is of winning athletes biting their medals after a win. The shot is a tradition of the event. When it first began, it was likely done to test whether the gold medals were truly gold -- real gold is slightly pliable and a tooth mark could be left. But over time, it's become an obsession of photographers who demand it. The medals are no longer solid gold, they are silver with gold plating.
Still, the image is one we see year after year and increasingly, we've been watching LGBTQ+ athletes get close with their prizes for the cameras as they continue to win Olympic competitions. Here, in a non-comprehensive, we look through just a few.
Photo credit: GettyImages
Christin Witty Wins Silver at 1980 Winter Olympics in Nagano
The speedskater competed in the 1,000 speedskate.
Photo Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Ireen Wurst Wins Gold at 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin
The speedskater won in the women's 3,000 meter.
Photo: GettyImages
Matthew Mitcham Wins Gold at 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
He competed in the 10 meter platform dive.
Photo credit: GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images
USA's Women's Basketball at 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio
Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and Brittney Griner were among the queer players. Photo credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
Tom Daley Wins Gold at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
The diver won gold in the men's synchronised 10 meter platform.
Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Carl Hester Wins Gold at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
The rider (middle) won gold for dressage.
Photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Lucilla Boari Wins Bronze at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
The Italian won bronze in the Women's Individual archery competition.
Photo credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Canada's Women's Soccer Wins Gold at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
Team Canada boasted five out players including Quinn, who was the Olympics' first nobinary, trans gold medalist. The team's coach is also out.
Photo credit: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Ireen Wust Wins Gold at 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing
The speedskater made history after winning gold in her fifth consecutive Olympic games. She won for the Women's 1,500 meter.
Photo credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
