The Rio Olympics have certainly been a Games like no other before them.
But it's not just a green diving pool and near-empty stadiums that have set this summer's Games apart. In fact, the organisers have gone and done away with one of the most enduring podium traditions.
Whereas previous medal-winning athletes at the Olympics were handed a bouquet of flowers when they climbed the podium for their award, the winners at the Rio Games have rather been handed a strange and brightly colored figurine.
![Gong Jinjie, left, and Zhong Tianshi, right, of China hold their gold medals on the podium of the Women's team sprint finals at the Rio Olympic Velodrome. Photo / AP.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PTFTABMOALJ4L66GBSGSWC5N3M.jpg?auth=c1aaab6967aa2d0f40f68cc2964692bb5b0427fc8369c673ead2edfb068402ea&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Throughout the Games, the little sculptures have become as common a sight as the medals themselves, leading many on social media to speculate as to their purpose.