podium position

A podium for the best three participants in a competition

Refers to the podium that is often used when announcing/honoring the winners of a competition that puts the winner on highest step with second and third place next to the winner at a lower level.

podium position (plural podium positions)

1. an outcome of being among the best three in a competition
   • 1997 November, Cycle World Magazine, page 95:

     Elsewhere on the circuit, Ryo's ZX-7RR had run out of gas and Russell darted past, only to run wide on the final lap, forfeiting the podium position. “We were looking for the win here, so it's disappointing to finish fourth," Russell said.

   • 2013, Angus Dougall, The Greatest Racing Driver, Balboa Press, →ISBN, page 75:

     If winning is not possible, then a podium position is next best with second and third placegetters at least gaining due acclamation, but that is about where it ends, so no points have been awarded for finishing below third place.

   • 2013, Joe Friel, Jim Vance, Triathlon Science, Human Kinetics, →ISBN, page 441:

     For advanced triathletes racing short—course events, optimizing transition time may mean the difference between a podium position and no podium position.