Olympics: Medals to be presented in reverse order

Olympic chiefs have decided to break with tradition and present the medals at next year's winter Games at Salt Lake City in reverse order

The International Olympic Committee's executive board yesterday backed a proposal by the athletes' commission to test the experiment at the 2002 Olympics and decide afterwards whether to adopt the format at future summer Games.

In the past, the Olympic champion has received the gold medal first, but in Salt Lake City the bronze medal will be awarded first - followed by silver and then gold.

The idea behind the change is for the ceremony to gain momentum, with the presentation of the gold medal being its climax.