At the ongoing Olympics, figure skaters have raised concerns regarding the podium's surface, which has reportedly led to their skate blades being damaged. According to Yahoo! Sports, several skaters have found that the podium's surface contains small stones or rough patches that have adversely affected their skates after performing. Normally, skaters wear blade guards when stepping onto the podium; however, this time they had to skate directly onto the podium without the guards.

This issue became particularly apparent during the team event when the podium was occupied by medal-winning teams from the United States (gold), Japan (silver), and Italy (bronze). Marco F, from the Italian team, noted that they were unaware of the problems with the podium's surface while standing on it. However, once they returned to the ice, it was a different story, as many skaters expressed their concerns, stating they were unable to move effectively due to the damage caused to their blades.

As the competition progresses, this issue not only raises questions about the preparations and safety for athletes at the Olympic Games but also the broader implications regarding the oversight of such important details at a global sporting event. It remains to be seen how the organizing committee will address this issue as more performances unfold, ensuring the safety and performance quality for all competitors in the upcoming events.