What is the first rule to winning an Olympic sailing medal for men? It is considered unlucky to shave while competing.

All three men, Pavlos Kotides from Cyprus, Stefano Peschiera of Peru, and Matt Wearn from Australia, wore beards when they hung their gold, silver, and bronze medals around Wednesday's neck.

Wearn, who is the Olympic champion for the men's Dinghy in 2012, described it as an ancient superstition, and Peschiera added: "You don't wanna take the risk."

The Peruvian said, "Even my coaches don't shave," after winning the first Olympic medal in 32 years for the South American nation.

Kontides stated that the only press question asked him after winning silver in 2012 was "why shaved my beard?" To which Kontides replied, "to look older".

He was still bearded 12 years later at the post-medals press conference. (Reporting and editing by Bill Berkrot).

(source: Reuters)