A medal ceremony is held after the conclusion of each Olympic event. The winner, and the second- and third-place competitors or teams, stand on top of a three-tiered rostrum to be awarded their respective medals by a member of the IOC.[153] After the medals have been received, the national flags of the three medallists are raised while the national anthem of the gold medallist's country is played.[154] Volunteering citizens of the host country also act as hosts during the medal ceremonies, assisting the officials who present the medals and acting as flag-bearers.[155] In the Summer Olympics, each medal ceremony is held at the venue where the event has taken place,[156] but the ceremonies at the Winter Olympics are usually held in a special "plaza".[157]