# 173 - Don't Like Podium Kissing

Tour de France

The Tour de France has been a nice distraction on TV. 

I watched Don in bike races, 40 years ago in California. Now I watch Don relaxing in front of the TV, enjoying something so far away from our current worries, of Covid, politics and fires!

The races are exciting to watch and the scenery is stunning. You can forget about the pandemic, until you see bikes crowding like this. But I guess there's a much bigger chance that these guys will die of a bike crash than Covid.

No Podium Girls

All sports have had to adjust to the pandemic. Cycling is the only one I know of, that had to stop the tradition of Podium Girls.

It's about time! That was a tradition that needed to go. Yes, it was kind of cute seeing the lovely girls putting the awards around the winner's neck and handing him flowers and stuffed animals. 

Podium Team

Then again, this podium just looks silly.

Now on the podium, they have a guy and girl, wearing yellow masks. The winner  stands in the middle, awkwardly holding his flowers and lion.  

Faceless Winner

There are still medals and flowers and now we have masks, on the podium.

As always, I'm glad that athletes are making statements with masks. (even if they don't have a choice) However, it's kind of sad that I can't see the winner's expression at all. For all I know, he might be pouting because he didn't get kisses from the Podium Girls.

​No. I'm going to say, he's grinning behind that fabric!