Paralympics champion Hunter Woodhall has given fans an insight into how Olympics medalists are struggling to maintain their medals having messed up with his in recent days.
Woodhall won gold and bronze at the 2024 Paralympics games while his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall clinched gold in high jump at the Paris Olympics and the couple have been carrying their medals around to various events.
However, taking care of the medals seems to be turning into a challenging task for the two, and perhaps other Olympians, after Woodhall displayed a worn-off red ribbon that came courtesy of his poor handling.
Paralympic champion Hunter Woodhall and wife Tara Davis-Woodhall have revealed the sad reality that exists in track & field following the sprint race between Noah Lyles and IShowSpeed.
His mistake? Well, he wrapped the ribbon around the medal and left it with major damage that will perhaps need replacing.
«You may have seen the bronze medal on social media. They are tarnishing on the edges but here’s the problem I have with the gold medal. I did this myself so my fault, but I would wrap the ribbon around it like…and the edge right here caught on the ribbon,” Woodhall explained, showing the worn-off ribbon to his followers on Instagram.
«Don’t wrap the ribbon around the medal. Is that right baby?” he went on, while asking his wife’s opinion.
The two would go on to show the conditions of the medals which look to have started wearing off.
«This one’s kind of tarnishing a little bit as well,» said Woodhall.
That insight got fans excited somewhat with other advising athletes to ensure they do not wrap their medals to avoid damaging the ribbon while others hope that Woodhall can get a replacement.
American sprint queen Gabby Thomas is already looking at life beyond the track and has weighed in on when she will likely retire as well as what she plans to do after.
“Mmm, might be safer in a display case,” one fan advised while another one said: “I’m digging the flex and dang, didn’t know it was that sharp.”
“Don’t keep the medal in the front pocket either, we never know,” quipped another fan.
The couple has been among the star attractions at various events during the off-season and they carry their medals along to display to their supporters and sponsors but it looks like they will have to find better ways of handling them going forward.