Citing enhanced opportunities and athlete feedback, the IOC announced Friday that it would be adding fourth place medals across all Olympic events beginning at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
"We benchmarked a number of national and international competitions, and found extensive precedents," said IOC spokesperson Pierre Penible. "From 5th grade swim meets to the NCAA, we found that, in fact, a number of events that honored the fourth place."
In terms of medal composition, the IOC noted that it was still in the experimental stage, and was not ruling out such traditional 4th place materials as wood, tin, or, perhaps most fittingly, leather. "However, we have also looked at ceramics, concrete, synthetics, and others," said Penible. "Including tofu."
Penible would not say what feedback prompted this change. "I will only say that we heard from parents. Many parents. Lots and lots of parents."