Beijing, Jan 27: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Beijing 2022 Games organisers have said that medallists would be allowed to remove their masks during victory ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
“The victory ceremony protocol has been adapted to allow athletes to share their emotions with the world during this unique experience in their sporting career, while also helping media to fully capture the moment,” IOC said in a statement on Wednesday. According to Covid-19 norms, the athletes would have to wear mask from the start of the victory ceremony until they reach their position behind the podium. While still behind the podium, athletes will be invited by a visual sign to take off their mask. Winners would be awarded their medal and mascot without their mask. After completion of the anthem, the athletes would be invited, by a visual sign, to put back their mask before either a group photo on the gold podium or stepping down from the podium. After the ceremony, athletes may remove their mask to take individual or team photos maintaining social distances from media and other medallists/teams as specified in the games playbook, the IOC said.
