June 23, 2008
"The awards ceremony is a highly symbolic ritual, acknowledged as such by all athletes and other participants," the IOC said. "Any disruption by any athlete, in particular a medalist, is in itself an insult to the other athletes and to the Olympic movement. It is also contrary to the spirit of fair play." CBC, August 18, 2008
All this in connection with a Swedish wrestler who was angry about the officiating at his bout. He threw his medal to the floor.
Officials seized the medal.
The hilarious part is "highly symbolic ritual". What they mean is, you will respect us and if you don't we will punish you. You thought the award was for your performance? You mad dog! The award is for us! By giving you an award we declare ourselves to be superior and powerful and beautiful because you had the privilege of receiving our blessings.
I've been watching the Olympics for about 40 years now and I never noticed any coherent symbolism to any of the ridiculous rituals that are part of the ego-fest. I suppose they mean something like "the flame symbolizes the passion of the athletes in their desire to achieve" or the way politicians burn through money erecting this monuments to their own egos while their own citizens starve, or, in China's case, live in tents while their earthquake-ravaged villages fester hopelessly.