Why do athletes bite their gold medals? The story behind the tradition

I was present at the birth of a tradition that survives to this day. My friend and I were walking down a Bangalore street (now called Bengaluru street) when we saw a dog just about to do its business by the side of the road. “Quick,” said my friend, “let us link our forefingers. It will stop the dog from messing the place.” It was so spontaneous, so absurd, so bizarre that I quickly linked my forefinger with his, and a tradition was born.