A British boxer surprised an Olympic viewers tonight when he refused point-blank to put on his medal on the rostrum.
Ben Whittaker saved his head down all through the ceremony and when his identify was introduced he collected his silver and stuffed it into his pocket as his fellow medallists seemed on.
Whittaker, 24, of West Bromwich, seemed crestfallen and barely raised his head to take a look at the Union Flag because it was unveiled subsequent to the flags of the opposite medallists from Cuba, Azerbaijan and the Russian Olympic Committee.
Group GB boxer Ben Whittaker (far left) took off his silver medal after dropping his light-heavyweight gold-medal battle
The 24-year-old took off his medal and caught it in his pocket as fellow medallists seemed on
He produced his medal from his pocket and reluctantly held it for the photographers as the opposite three boxers hugged and smiled for the cameras, with medals round their necks.
Because of Covid security guidelines, medal winners now not have their awards positioned round their necks by officers and dignitaries and as an alternative the awards are introduced to them to be self-placed.
Whittaker saved his palms in his pockets all through the medal celebration for the sunshine heavyweight medals and had earlier left the ring after his defeat to Arien Lopez of Cuba wiping away tears.
Whittaker was in tears after dropping the ultimate to Cuba’s Arlen Lopez through a cut up determination
One observer mentioned: ‘I’ve been to Olympics over the past 25 years and witnessed many, many medal ceremonies however I’ve by no means seen something like this.
‘It wasn’t honest to the opposite boxers and the Olympics. He must study to just accept this loss and are available again stronger subsequent time.’
Requested by Mail On-line why he hadn’t worn his medal, Whittaker mentioned: ‘Yeah, so, I didn’t win a gold.
‘I misplaced a gold, so to me it’s a failure so I’m not going to have fun silver in the meanwhile. I’m positive over time I’ll look again and see what an achievement it’s.’
Whittaker (left) referred to as himself a ‘failure’ for selecting up silver, saying ‘no one trains for silver’
He added: ‘You don’t win silver…you lose gold. So that’s the reason I used to be so emotional. No one trains for silver or bronze.
‘All people up right here educated for the gold medal. I wakened this morning actually believing this was my time. I had the entire of the West Midlands behind me and Nice Britain
‘Congratulations to Arien. It was his time. He is a superb boxer. I simply have to return to the health club, change just a few issues, work more durable and hopefully subsequent time will probably be my flip.’
When he appeared with the opposite medallists later, he was requested to put on the medal, however took it off instantly on leaving the Ryogoku Kokugikan enviornment and returned it to his pocket.
The 24-year-old (left) claimed he ‘wakened this morning actually believing this was my time’
He was born in Wolverhampton and mentioned he obtained into boxing by means of his father’s love for the game.
In an interview launched by the Olympics 2020, he mentioned: ‘I used to be out and in of bother in school, very hyperactive and my mom could not deal with me.
‘So my dad took me all the way down to the health club to burn off vitality and achieve some self-discipline. I have not seemed again since.
‘Boxing is my life and I thank boxing for the alternatives it has given me. College was by no means for me, I wanted to be lively. Sitting in a classroom was a giant no.’
He had advised an interviewer in April about his ambitions which was ‘to win a gold medal on the 2020 Olympic Video games in Tokyo, and to change into world champion.’
A number of British sports activities stars have been accused of ‘petulance’ by refusing to put on their runners-up medals lately, together with England’s Euro 2020 squad who misplaced the match remaining to Italy through a penalty shootout final month.
England’s Euro 2020 stars, together with goalscorer Luke Shaw (proper), took their silver medals off after dropping the ultimate to Italy final month
Three Lions captain Harry Kane took his off right away within the medal ceremony at Wembley
England supervisor Gareth Southgate saved his medal on within the aftermath of the ceremony
Solely seven of the Three Lions’ squad – Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson- selected to maintain their silver medals round their neck, whereas England supervisor Gareth Southgate additionally didn’t take his off.
However most of squad appeared to take away their medals simply moments after receiving them, to combined response from their followers – with some slamming the ‘disrespectful’ and ‘unsporting’ behaviour whereas others insisted it’s ‘normal follow’ to take away runners-up medals at sporting contests.
Actor and failed London mayoral candidate Laurence Fox slammed the England stars, calling them ‘kneeling infants’ and ‘sore losers’.
He tweeted: ‘You do not take your medal off in digicam shot prefer it’s another person’s fault that you simply took too many steps in your penalty. You misplaced. Pay your respects to those that beat you by ready ten yards earlier than you pull your medal off. Be gracious. Sore losers.’
England followers on social media have been cut up on England’s gamers taking their silver medals off
One Twitter person posted: ‘I actually do not get why England gamers took off the medals so rapidly and dismissively. Unhealthy vibe x sport. They performed properly all through the match. Interval.’
One other viewer mentioned: ‘Taking the medals off is EXACTLY why the remainder of the UK do not assist England.’
However die-hard Three Lions followers defended the gamers, with one supporter tweeting: ‘Hardly infantile… it is the mentality of the the very fact they nonetheless misplaced, why put on a medal for second place’.
One other mentioned: ‘I personally cheered these England gamers eradicating their silver medals.’
England’s rugby stars eliminated their medals after dropping the World Cup remaining to South Africa
Prop Kyle Sinckler took his runners-up medal off from round his neck after receiving i
In 2019, England’s rugby stars additionally refused to put on their runners-up medals after dropping the Rugby World Cup remaining 32-12 to South Africa.
Maro Itoje didn’t put his on whereas Kyle Sinckler rapidly tore his off in the course of the post-game ceremony and captain Owen Farrell took his off earlier than South Africa lifted their trophy.
Followers watching the ultimate branded England as ‘sore losers’ and ‘unsportsmanlike’ for taking their medals off so rapidly.
One mentioned on the time: ‘England having a mood tantrum refusing to put on their medals. Pathetic.’
England captain Owen Farrell checked out his medal however didn’t put it again on after the match
England’s rugby gamers have been branded as ‘sore losers’ for not sporting their medals
However former England rugby captain James Haskell defended Eddie Jones’ aspect for taking off their medals as ‘what issues is 1st place, the gold medal’.
He advised Sportsmail after the ultimate: ‘I believe for apparent causes none of England’s gamers can be framing their runners-up medals on the wall once they get house this week. I’ve seen feedback already criticising gamers for taking them off right away after the presentation.
‘Anybody who suggests that is responsible of a misunderstanding and has by no means performed sport on the highest stage. They’ve by no means labored tremendous exhausting to realize one thing after which fallen on the remaining hurdle.
‘No one cares about coming second. In 2019 we make everybody really feel higher about themselves and say, have this medal for tenth place or it is about participating. These are issues we inform ourselves, however what issues is 1st place, the gold medal.
‘The gamers who get silver can be p****d off, they are going to be upset, and they are going to be despondent. It is how we’re all constructed and it is frankly the way it ought to be at an elite stage. Nobody obtained anyplace being pleased with defeat.
‘Family and friends can be telling them to be pleased with reaching a World Cup remaining however, for just a few weeks at the very least, the gamers is not going to wish to hear. No skilled athlete needs to return second.’
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