Pyeongchang Olympics - Sometimes athletes achieve much more than politicians

In Pyeongchang, the Japanese skater, Nao Kodaira, won the gold medal in the women's speed skate 500 meters.

When Nao Kodaira was confirmed as the winner, she celebrated by hugging her long time Korean rival, Lee Sang-hwa, who had led for most of the race.

Lee was awarded the silver medal.

They enjoyed the victory run together.

After the race, it was reported that Kodaira said in Korean that she had always respected her rival.

She had learned to speak Korean in her personal and private time.

She also spoke in Korean at the press conference.

The speed skaters expressed mutual respect for each other both as sportswomen and as human beings.

Their attitude was appreciated by many Koreans and Japanese in the media and by sms.

Sometimes athletes or artists achieve much more than politicians.

I know it is not the end of difficult relations between Korea and Japan.

But their friendship warmed people's feelings of both nations.

The Olympics might still have its challenges, but we still have to thank Pierre Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.

And this time we can thank the two rival friends even more.