From competitor to friend “I hope youth athletes gain a lot of experience through the Olympics.”
Lee Sang-hwa and Kodaira reunite after 6 years at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium
Lee Sang-hwa, co-chairman of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games (hereinafter referred to as Gangwon 2024) and Nao Kodaira, who was invited as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) role model, reunited at the mixed zone at the Gangneung speed skating rink in Gangwon-do on the morning of the 22nd. I’m doing it. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Kodaira and Lee Sang-hwa, who won gold and silver medals at the stadium, hugged each other and shed hot tears after a fierce competition.
Lee Sang-hwa (34) and Nao Kodaira (37, Japan) reunited at the stadium where there was fierce competition during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. 바카라사이트
On the morning of the 22nd, Lee Sang-hwa and Kodaira met at the joint coverage area of the Gangneung Speed Skating Rink, where the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics (hereinafter referred to as Gangwon 2024) speed skating competition was held, and once again revealed the Olympic spirit of ‘competition’ and ‘friendship’.
The two people, who kept in touch and continued their friendship even after retirement, welcomed each other like ordinary friends.
Gangwon 2024 co-organizing committee chairman Lee Sang-hwa smiled brightly when he saw Kodaira, who arrived late, and the two lightly hugged each other and asked how he was doing.
Chairman Lee Sang-hwa seemed to be filled with emotion and said, “It brings back memories from the PyeongChang Olympics,” and added, “Standing with Kodaira makes me feel like I’m an athlete again.”
He said, “When I arrived at the stadium and passed by the area where they were preparing for the game, I was in tears. I felt like I would shed tears when I saw Kodaira, so I suppressed my emotions.”
Lee Sang-hwa and Kodaira visited the competition site as Gangwon 2024 co-organizing committee chairs and International Olympic Committee (IOC) role models, respectively.
The IOC arranged a meeting between the two at the Gangneung speed skating rink, which had a lot of meaning, and attracted enough attention that dozens of Korean and Japanese reporters flocked to the site.
Kodaira said, “Standing in this stadium with (Lee Sang-hwa) makes me feel like I’m a player again. It’s a good feeling,” and added, “I have a great desire to help young players with (Lee) Sang-hwa.”
The two advised that they hope young players will learn the value of friendly competition and friendship and have many experiences like them.
Chairman Lee Sang-hwa said, “I hope that the youth players will gain a lot of experience through this competition,” and “I especially hope that they will have an experience that will help them break down various barriers.”
Kodaira said, “When I was young, there were no Youth Olympic Games,” and “I am happy to visit the Youth Olympic Games and cheer on young athletes.”
Lee Sang-hwa and Kodaira competed fiercely for the gold medal in the women’s 500m speed skating at the Pyeongchang Olympics held at the Gangneung Speed Skating Rink on February 18, 2018.
The two, who were considered contenders for the championship and destined rivals, kept each other in check to the point where they did not exchange a single word before the game.
However, after the game, they hugged each other with hot tears, and this image resonated not only with the people of both countries but also with viewers around the world.
At the time, Kodaira won the gold medal with an Olympic record of 36.940 seconds, and Lee Sang-hwa won the silver medal with 37.330 seconds, but the results were not that important.
In an interview on the 21st, Kodaira also said, “If there is no opponent (to compete), the game cannot be held,” and added, “I hope the players learn to respect each other and go back with a lot of experience.” 토토사이트 순위