Handing out the medals as they cross the line vice "medal ceremonies"?

I think it’s cool too.

however, they’re still doing a victory ceremony later somewhere, right?

A medal ceremony with a podium and national anthem is still best.

Totally agree.

Which they are also doing.

no they're not. people want both victory lap AND medal ceremony. Total fail. 90% of fans in attendance are expressing either frustration or anger over this.

Are they having the athletes give the medals back when they leave the track to then be actually awarded at the medal ceremony? A big part of why immediately handing out medals isn't generally done is because of the protest period after the event where the results aren't final, people can file protests, and athletes can be DQed. Giving the medals out immediately means that at some point there's going to be the situation that no one wants where someone has to go try and get a medal back from a DQed athlete.

I like it. They can have their full moment of glory when it is at its apex. It also can eliminate embarrassing behavior on a podium.

Handing them out at the finish makes it seem like a finishers' medal. And the ugly medals don't help.

I'm not sure if you've ever been to a big championship, but they're one of the reasons the sport is such a turn off.

Every medal ceremony is essentially 20-30 minutes out of the program where nothing happens. It's so boring. One second you think the next big final is about to start, but no, you have to suffer through the 20k walk medal ceremony and pretend to care.