Pyeongchang winter olympics
North and South Korea to bid for 2032 Summer Olympics
The North’s decision to participate in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February triggered a dramatic diplomatic turnaround on the peninsula.
Russians competed as neutrals in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics after the IOC suspended Russia in December over doping allegations.
The Russians, competing as neutral athletes at Pyeongchang as punishment for a years-long Russian doping scandal, came back from one-goal down on a goal by Nikita Gusev with less than a minute left in regulation time.
Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong and the other North Korean officials stayed at the Walkerhill Hotel, a five-star riverside hotel in eastern Seoul.
Russians are competing as neutral athletes at the Games due to allegations the country ran a systematic doping programme, which Moscow denies.
Olympic sponsors are concerned the peace message could put them too close to a hot-button issue: North Korea’s participation in the Games.
The Slovenian Olympic committee said Ziga Jeglic was tested four days ago and that only the ‘A’ sample had been examined before the player accepted the violation.
Skating last to “Moulin Rouge,” the pair embraced and grinned on the ice after their dynamic performance that had the audience roaring.
The 9-25 February winter Games have not drawn sold-out crowds, with several venues far from filled and organisers bringing in volunteers to fill the seats.
Eric Frenzel moved clear of the group of five who had broken away, but the lead changed hands several times before the German tried to go alone on the last lap.
Games Organisers confirmed the attack on Sunday, saying that it affected internet and television services but did not compromise critical operations.
North and South Korean leaders swapped warm handshakes and smiles at Friday’s opening ceremony, enabling the IOC to present the Games as enablers of peace.
That is the assessment of a former South Korean government minister and political experts who say the North has used the Games to drive a wedge between South Korea and its US ally.
The Winter Games are being staged only 80km from the border with North Korea, which is technically still at war with the South since their 1950-1953 war ended.
The official said Pence and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, while watching speed skating together on Saturday night, discussed intensifying sanctions.
A further 47 banned coaches and athletes, including Ahn, had appealed the IOC decision but on Friday their appeals were dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Russia as a nation was banned from the Games and its 168 athletes who have travelled to South Korea, invited by the IOC, are competing under the Olympic flag.
Some local media reported system problems, including the Games website and some television sets, were due to a cyberattack.
The Russians had appealed their exclusion from the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the doping scandal from the 2014 Sochi Games.