Hungary entered into the medal table by pulling off a stunning victory in the men&#39;s 5,000 metres relay on Thursday&nbsp;(February 22). Earlier they had never&nbsp;won a short-track medal at the&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;and their first was sealed in an Olympic record time of 6 minutes 31.971 seconds. China finished at number two and Canada came at third claiming silver and bronze respectively.&nbsp;

Brothers Sandor Liu Shaolin and Shaoang Liu raced alongside Viktor Knoch and Csaba Burjan to make history for Hungary in the final short track event of the Games.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Short Track Speed Skating - Men&rsquo;s 5000m Relay 
쇼트트랙 스피드 스케이팅 - 남자 5000m 계주 
 
Gold???? Hungary 
Silver???? People&#39;s Republic of China 
Bronze???? Canada 
 
Congratulations!축하합니다!???? <a href="https://t.co/NYCJrLDlfO">pic.twitter.com/NYCJrLDlfO</a>
&mdash; PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/pyeongchang2018/status/966657858396856321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

They celebrated wildly at the end, high-fiving and hugging their technical staff beside the track before skating around the rink holding their country&#39;s flag.

The race got off to a cagey start with all four teams in contention until disaster struck for the Koreans midway through when one of their skaters went sprawling.

By the time he had found his feet, Korea was half a lap behind, and though they pushed hard to catch up, the effort they expended told in the end and they finished nearly three-quarters of a lap behind everyone else.

The Hungarians bided their time, skating within themselves and letting China and Canada set the pace in the 45-lap race before putting on a late surge that secured the gold medal.

If we look at the medal tally, Norway stands at number one with 35 medals Germany and Canada at number two and three.

&nbsp;

Hungary makes history, storm to first Winter Games gold with victory in short track skating men's 5,000 metres relay

Hungary entered into the medal table by pulling off a stunning victory in the men's 5,000 metres relay on Thursday (February 22). Earlier they had never won a short-track medal at the Winter Olympics and their first was sealed in an Olympic record time of 6 minutes 31.971 seconds. China finished at number two and Canada came at third claiming silver and bronze respectively. Brothers Sandor Liu Shaolin and Shaoang Liu raced alongside Viktor Knoch and Csaba Burjan to make history for Hungary in the final short track event of the Games. Short Track Speed Skating - Men’s 5000m Relay 쇼트트랙 스피드 스케이팅 - 남자 5000m 계주 Gold???? Hungary Silver???? People's Republic of China Bronze???? Canada Congratulations!축하합니다!???? pic.twitter.com/NYCJrLDlfO — PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) February 22, 2018 × They celebrated wildly at the end, high-fiving and hugging their technical staff beside the track before skating around the rink holding their country's flag. The race got off to a cagey start with all four teams in contention until disaster struck for the Koreans midway through when one of their skaters went sprawling. By the time he had found his feet, Korea was half a lap behind, and though they pushed hard to catch up, the effort they expended told in the end and they finished nearly three-quarters of a lap behind everyone else. The Hungarians bided their time, skating within themselves and letting China and Canada set the pace in the 45-lap race before putting on a late surge that secured the gold medal. If we look at the medal tally, Norway stands at number one with 35 medals Germany and Canada at number two and three.

Hungary marks presence at Winter Olympics with shining gold

By&nbsp;Keith Parry*,&nbsp;Emma Kavanagh**,&nbsp;Ryan Storr***

Athletes from Western nations have various protections, and many now share equal rights in most aspects of the law. But when they travel to compete in countries with regressive human rights records, these protections can be lost.

Australia competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, both of which were held in Russia. It will again send a team to Russia to play in this year&rsquo;s FIFA World Cup and aims to compete in the 2022 edition in Qatar. Both countries have poor human rights records, particularly on LGBTI+ issues.

Sport is often lauded as a platform to advance human rights. But, for LGBTI+ individuals and athletes, this may not necessarily be true. The continued hosting of mega sporting events in countries with anti-LGBTI+ laws brings the role of sport in campaigns to advance human rights into focus.&nbsp;

LGBTI+ rights and the Winter Olympics

Sochi became a platform for LGBTI+ rights when Western activists called for a boycott based on several human rights concerns. Their resistance increased in direct response to the implementation of laws in Russia outlawing sexual minorities.

Principle 4 of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism was often referred to amid concerns for the safety of LGBTI+ athletes at Sochi:

The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

Athlete activists have begun to challenge the hosting of mega sporting events in countries like Russia that ignore human rights and reinforce systems of oppression. But what has really changed since Sochi for Olympians?

This year a country with a questionable stance on LGBTI+ rights is again hosting the Winter Olympics. South Korea scores only 13% on the Rainbow Index, which measures the impacts of a country&rsquo;s laws and policies on the lives of LGBTI+ people. This is only a marginally better score than Russia&rsquo;s 8%.

Although homosexuality is legal in South Korea, LGBTI+ rights remain highly volatile. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has courted controversy with comments opposing homosexuality, and sexual minorities continue to face significant stigma in the region.

Australia is taking 51 athletes to compete in South Korea, with two openly gay women on the team. One, Belle Brockhoff, has criticised the anti-LGBTI+ laws in host countries. She joined 26 other athletes who signed a letter opposing Kazakhstan&rsquo;s bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics due to its anti-LGBTI+ policies.

However, it is not only host nations that can be called to account for their poor LGBTI+ records. Adam Rippon, an openly gay figure skater who has won bronze in Pyeongchang, recently said he did not want to meet Vice President Mike Pence as part of an official reception for the US team. Rippon argued the Trump administration does not &ldquo;represent the values that [he] was taught growing up&rdquo;.

A Fox News executive has criticised the inclusion of &ldquo;African-Americans, Asians and openly gay athletes&rdquo; in the US team. He claimed that &ldquo;Darker, Gayer, Different&rdquo; was now a more suitable Olympic motto than &ldquo;Faster, Higher, Stronger&rdquo;.

Current evidence suggests that anti-LGBTI+ discrimination is rising. Stonewall, the UK&rsquo;s leading LGBTI+ charity, reports hate crimes toward the LGBTI+ community have increased: &nbsp;one in five LGBTI+ people have experienced a hate crime due to their sexual orientation or gender identity in the last year.

In the US, Donald Trump tried to ban transgender people from serving in the military. Several states have attempted to pass laws to restrict access to bathrooms for people who are trans or gender-diverse.&nbsp;

With increased visibility comes increased risk&nbsp;

An increasing number of athletes now openly demonstrate their sexual orientation, but many acknowledge it leaves them open to homophobic abuse &ndash; especially on social media platforms.

American Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy referred to social media as a space that serves to reinforce the presence of casual and aggressive homophobia. British Olympian Tom Bosworth said he believed fear of abuse on social media could be preventing athletes from coming out.

Mega sporting events can be problematic for LGBTI+ athletes as many may not be &ldquo;out&rdquo; and there can be serious implications if they were to do so.

The safety and welfare of LGBTI+ athletes made headlines when a journalist went undercover in the athletes&rsquo; village at the 2016 Rio Olympics to identify out or closeted athletes. Several athletes who were identified were from countries where being gay is criminalised or even punishable by death.

Sport is responding at a notably slow pace to the advancement of LGBTI+ human rights.

Major sporting codes have shown they are not ready to tackle trans and gender diversity. For example, the Australian Football League recently banned transgender player Hannah Mouncey from joining its women&rsquo;s competition.

There is still much work to be done around athletes with intersex variations, sex testing in elite-level competition, and transgender and transitioned athletes.

Hope for the future?

One particular social inclusion legacy to come from a mega sporting event is Pride House International. This initiative provides a safe space for the LGBTI+ community to engage with a sporting event.

In addition, the Principle 6 campaign, launched in response to Russia&rsquo;s anti-LGBT laws, led to the expansion of that particular part of the Olympic Charter to include sexual orientation as something sport should be free from discrimination on.

It will be interesting to see whether the 2018 Winter Olympics can contribute to the advancement of LGBTI+ rights within South Korea and beyond. However, more scrutiny must be directed to the human rights records of potential host nations when awarding mega sporting events.&nbsp;

*Keith Parry is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Management, Western Sydney University.

**Emma Kavanagh is a senior lecturer in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences, Bournemouth University.&nbsp;

***Ryan Storr, Lecturer in sports development, Western Sydney University.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A country with a questionable stance on LGBTI+ rights is again hosting the Winter Olympics.

By Keith Parry*, Emma Kavanagh**, Ryan Storr*** Athletes from Western nations have various protections, and many now share equal rights in most aspects of the law. But when they travel to compete in countries with regressive human rights records, these protections can be lost. Australia competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, both of which were held in Russia. It will again send a team to Russia to play in this year’s FIFA World Cup and aims to compete in the 2022 edition in Qatar. Both countries have poor human rights records, particularly on LGBTI+ issues. Sport is often lauded as a platform to advance human rights. But, for LGBTI+ individuals and athletes, this may not necessarily be true. The continued hosting of mega sporting events in countries with anti-LGBTI+ laws brings the role of sport in campaigns to advance human rights into focus. LGBTI+ rights and the Winter Olympics Sochi became a platform for LGBTI+ rights when Western activists called for a boycott based on several human rights concerns. Their resistance increased in direct response to the implementation of laws in Russia outlawing sexual minorities. Principle 4 of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism was often referred to amid concerns for the safety of LGBTI+ athletes at Sochi: The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. Athlete activists have begun to challenge the hosting of mega sporting events in countries like Russia that ignore human rights and reinforce systems of oppression. But what has really changed since Sochi for Olympians? This year a country with a questionable stance on LGBTI+ rights is again hosting the Winter Olympics. South Korea scores only 13% on the Rainbow Index, which measures the impacts of a country’s laws and policies on the lives of LGBTI+ people. This is only a marginally better score than Russia’s 8%. Although homosexuality is legal in South Korea, LGBTI+ rights remain highly volatile. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has courted controversy with comments opposing homosexuality, and sexual minorities continue to face significant stigma in the region. Australia is taking 51 athletes to compete in South Korea, with two openly gay women on the team. One, Belle Brockhoff, has criticised the anti-LGBTI+ laws in host countries. She joined 26 other athletes who signed a letter opposing Kazakhstan’s bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics due to its anti-LGBTI+ policies. However, it is not only host nations that can be called to account for their poor LGBTI+ records. Adam Rippon, an openly gay figure skater who has won bronze in Pyeongchang, recently said he did not want to meet Vice President Mike Pence as part of an official reception for the US team. Rippon argued the Trump administration does not “represent the values that [he] was taught growing up”. A Fox News executive has criticised the inclusion of “African-Americans, Asians and openly gay athletes” in the US team. He claimed that “Darker, Gayer, Different” was now a more suitable Olympic motto than “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. Current evidence suggests that anti-LGBTI+ discrimination is rising. Stonewall, the UK’s leading LGBTI+ charity, reports hate crimes toward the LGBTI+ community have increased: one in five LGBTI+ people have experienced a hate crime due to their sexual orientation or gender identity in the last year. In the US, Donald Trump tried to ban transgender people from serving in the military. Several states have attempted to pass laws to restrict access to bathrooms for people who are trans or gender-diverse. With increased visibility comes increased risk An increasing number of athletes now openly demonstrate their sexual orientation, but many acknowledge it leaves them open to homophobic abuse – especially on social media platforms. American Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy referred to social media as a space that serves to reinforce the presence of casual and aggressive homophobia. British Olympian Tom Bosworth said he believed fear of abuse on social media could be preventing athletes from coming out. Mega sporting events can be problematic for LGBTI+ athletes as many may not be “out” and there can be serious implications if they were to do so. The safety and welfare of LGBTI+ athletes made headlines when a journalist went undercover in the athletes’ village at the 2016 Rio Olympics to identify out or closeted athletes. Several athletes who were identified were from countries where being gay is criminalised or even punishable by death. Sport is responding at a notably slow pace to the advancement of LGBTI+ human rights. Major sporting codes have shown they are not ready to tackle trans and gender diversity. For example, the Australian Football League recently banned transgender player Hannah Mouncey from joining its women’s competition. There is still much work to be done around athletes with intersex variations, sex testing in elite-level competition, and transgender and transitioned athletes. Hope for the future? One particular social inclusion legacy to come from a mega sporting event is Pride House International. This initiative provides a safe space for the LGBTI+ community to engage with a sporting event. In addition, the Principle 6 campaign, launched in response to Russia’s anti-LGBT laws, led to the expansion of that particular part of the Olympic Charter to include sexual orientation as something sport should be free from discrimination on. It will be interesting to see whether the 2018 Winter Olympics can contribute to the advancement of LGBTI+ rights within South Korea and beyond. However, more scrutiny must be directed to the human rights records of potential host nations when awarding mega sporting events. *Keith Parry is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Management, Western Sydney University. **Emma Kavanagh is a senior lecturer in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences, Bournemouth University. ***Ryan Storr, Lecturer in sports development, Western Sydney University. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Not much development in LGBTI+ rights for sports

North Korea could co-host the 2021 Winter Asian Games with the South, a top Pyongyang sports&nbsp;official said Tuesday as the two countries&#39; unified ice hockey team played its last Olympic match.

The Pyeongchang Olympics in the South has seen the North engage in a charm offensive, sending athletes, cheerleaders, and its leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s sister to attend the Games and meet with President Moon Jae-in.

It is a marked contrast to the tensions of last year when the nuclear-armed North carried out a barrage of missile tests and its biggest atomic blast to date.

The governor of Gangwon province, which includes Pyeongchang, said at the weekend he was considering a bid for the two Koreas to co-host the 2021 Winter Asian Games, adding the North&#39;s Masikryong ski resort could be used.

Chang Ung, the North Korean member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said the idea was &quot;sufficiently possible&quot;.

&quot;Since a smaller number of countries participates in the Asian Games, it would be easier than the Olympics,&quot; he was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying in Beijing on his way back to Pyongyang.

But the previous speculation about the two co-hosting sporting events has gone nowhere.

Chang praised the Pyeongchang Games as &quot;perfect&quot;, adding: &quot;The Olympics are a great success, thanks to unity achieved by the Korean people.&quot;

The Asian Winter Games take place every four years, with the hosts for the 2021 event to be chosen at this year&#39;s Summer Asian Games in Indonesia in August.

&nbsp;

A top Pyongyang sports official said North Korea could co-host the 2021 Winter Asian Games with the South

North Korea could co-host the 2021 Winter Asian Games with the South, a top Pyongyang sports official said Tuesday as the two countries' unified ice hockey team played its last Olympic match. The Pyeongchang Olympics in the South has seen the North engage in a charm offensive, sending athletes, cheerleaders, and its leader Kim Jong Un's sister to attend the Games and meet with President Moon Jae-in. It is a marked contrast to the tensions of last year when the nuclear-armed North carried out a barrage of missile tests and its biggest atomic blast to date. The governor of Gangwon province, which includes Pyeongchang, said at the weekend he was considering a bid for the two Koreas to co-host the 2021 Winter Asian Games, adding the North's Masikryong ski resort could be used. Chang Ung, the North Korean member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said the idea was "sufficiently possible". "Since a smaller number of countries participates in the Asian Games, it would be easier than the Olympics," he was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying in Beijing on his way back to Pyongyang. But the previous speculation about the two co-hosting sporting events has gone nowhere. Chang praised the Pyeongchang Games as "perfect", adding: "The Olympics are a great success, thanks to unity achieved by the Korean people." The Asian Winter Games take place every four years, with the hosts for the 2021 event to be chosen at this year's Summer Asian Games in Indonesia in August.

Two Koreas 'could co-host winter Asiad', says sports official

South Korea and the United States will announce plans before April for a postponed joint military drill, South Korea&rsquo;s defence minister said on Tuesday.

Seoul and Washington had agreed to postpone the regular joint military exercise until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being hosted in South Korea, which ends on March 18.

After the decision to delay the joint exercise, North Korea agreed to hold the first official talks with South Korea in more than two years and send athletes to the Winter Games, easing a standoff over Pyongyang&rsquo;s nuclear and missile programmes.

Asked when the two countries will hold the postponed drill, Song Young-moo told parliament he and his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, would make an announcement between March 18 and the start of April.

&ldquo;The exercise was postponed according to the spirit of the Olympics,&rdquo; Song said. &ldquo;We have agreed to uphold the basis until after the Paralympics...and not to confirm nor deny anything regarding what we would do after that until we announce it&rdquo;.

Song added inter-Korean talks had not come about as a direct result of the postponed drill.

Pyongyang has warned it would not sit idle if the United States and South Korea push ahead with the postponed military exercises.

North Korea denounces the drills as preparations to invade it, and it has at times conducted missile tests or taken other aggressive action in response.

The South Korean and US militaries usually hold military exercises called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle in March and April, which can involve as many as 17,000 US troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans.

South Korea&rsquo;s Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said talks to stage the postponed military drill were moving forward.

&ldquo;I&lsquo;m aware negotiations are moving towards a direction where the drills will be held,&rdquo; Cho said in a separate parliamentary session on Tuesday, without elaborating.

A restart of the joint drill is an &ldquo;act of ruthlessly trampling even a small sprout of peace that has been now seen on the Korean peninsula&rdquo;, the North&rsquo;s official KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Monday.

&ldquo;It is a provocative act of chilling the active efforts of the DPRK and enthusiasm of the international community to defuse tension and create a peaceful environment&rdquo;.

North Korea&rsquo;s official name is the Democratic People&rsquo;s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have eased since last year resulting in inter-Korean talks and the North sending a high-level delegation led by Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, and athletes to the Winter Olympics.

South Korea has also floated the idea of co-hosting the 2021 Asian Winter Games with North Korea, and a North Korean official said on Tuesday this may be possible, reported the South&rsquo;s Yonhap news agency.

North Korea may make the North&rsquo;s Masikryong ski resort available for the Games, said Chang Ung, the North&rsquo;s representative on the International Olympic Committee.

The host city for the 2021 event has not yet been decided.

Speaking to a Yonhap reporter at an airport in Beijing, the Chinese capital, Chang said it would be easier for the two sides to co-host the 2021 Asian Winter Games because there is less competition to host them, compared to the Olympics.

As to how that could come about, Chang declined to say, according to Yonhap. He was on his way back to North Korea after observing the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Reporting by Christine Kim and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez

Seoul and Washington had agreed to postpone the regular joint military exercise until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being hosted in South Korea, which ends on March 18

South Korea and the United States will announce plans before April for a postponed joint military drill, South Korea’s defence minister said on Tuesday. Seoul and Washington had agreed to postpone the regular joint military exercise until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being hosted in South Korea, which ends on March 18. After the decision to delay the joint exercise, North Korea agreed to hold the first official talks with South Korea in more than two years and send athletes to the Winter Games, easing a standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes. Asked when the two countries will hold the postponed drill, Song Young-moo told parliament he and his US counterpart, Jim Mattis, would make an announcement between March 18 and the start of April. “The exercise was postponed according to the spirit of the Olympics,” Song said. “We have agreed to uphold the basis until after the Paralympics...and not to confirm nor deny anything regarding what we would do after that until we announce it”. Song added inter-Korean talks had not come about as a direct result of the postponed drill. Pyongyang has warned it would not sit idle if the United States and South Korea push ahead with the postponed military exercises. North Korea denounces the drills as preparations to invade it, and it has at times conducted missile tests or taken other aggressive action in response. The South Korean and US militaries usually hold military exercises called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle in March and April, which can involve as many as 17,000 US troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. South Korea’s Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon said talks to stage the postponed military drill were moving forward. “I‘m aware negotiations are moving towards a direction where the drills will be held,” Cho said in a separate parliamentary session on Tuesday, without elaborating. A restart of the joint drill is an “act of ruthlessly trampling even a small sprout of peace that has been now seen on the Korean peninsula”, the North’s official KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Monday. “It is a provocative act of chilling the active efforts of the DPRK and enthusiasm of the international community to defuse tension and create a peaceful environment”. North Korea’s official name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Tensions on the Korean peninsula have eased since last year resulting in inter-Korean talks and the North sending a high-level delegation led by Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, and athletes to the Winter Olympics. South Korea has also floated the idea of co-hosting the 2021 Asian Winter Games with North Korea, and a North Korean official said on Tuesday this may be possible, reported the South’s Yonhap news agency. North Korea may make the North’s Masikryong ski resort available for the Games, said Chang Ung, the North’s representative on the International Olympic Committee. The host city for the 2021 event has not yet been decided. Speaking to a Yonhap reporter at an airport in Beijing, the Chinese capital, Chang said it would be easier for the two sides to co-host the 2021 Asian Winter Games because there is less competition to host them, compared to the Olympics. As to how that could come about, Chang declined to say, according to Yonhap. He was on his way back to North Korea after observing the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Reporting by Christine Kim and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez

South Korea to announce joint military drill plan with US before April

Slovenian ice hockey player Ziga Jeglic failed a drugs test and has been suspended, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday, becoming the third doping case at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

In a statement, CAS said Jeglic had been ordered to leave the Olympic Village within 24 hours after testing positive for the banned <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-again-suffers-doping-allegations-here-is-history-of-russian-doping-scandal-33344">drug fenoterol</a>, which is used to treat breathing difficulties.

CAS said Jeglic &quot;accepted an anti-doping rule violation and, as a consequence, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-meldonium-and-why-was-it-banned-33353">the athlete is suspended</a> from competing in the remainder of the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018.&quot;

&nbsp;

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement that the accused player had been ordered to leave after testing positive for the banned drug fenoterol

Slovenian ice hockey player Ziga Jeglic failed a drugs test and has been suspended, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday, becoming the third doping case at the Pyeongchang Olympics. In a statement, CAS said Jeglic had been ordered to leave the Olympic Village within 24 hours after testing positive for the banned drug fenoterol, which is used to treat breathing difficulties. CAS said Jeglic "accepted an anti-doping rule violation and, as a consequence, the athlete is suspended from competing in the remainder of the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018."

Third doping case at winter games as Slovenian hockey player fails drug test

Canada&#39;s Justin Kripps and Germany&#39;s Francesco Friedrich won gold medals after a dramatic dead-heat in the men&#39;s Olympic two-man bobsleigh.

Latvia&#39;s Oskars Melbardis took bronze behind the Canadian and German crews who were involved in the first dead-heat in the event since Nagano in 1998.

Ahead of the final run at the Olympic Sliding Centre, the fastest five pilots were separated by less than a quarter of a second in blisteringly quick conditions due to low temperatures.

Kripps, who tops the world bobsleigh driver rankings, had run three good heats, consistently placing first or second, and he needed to pull out another one to secure his first Olympic gold medal.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
19FEB Bobsleigh -2-man 
2/19 봅슬레이 - 남자 2인승 
 
Gold???? Canada / KRIPPS Justin &amp; KOPACZ Alexander 
Gold???? Germany / FRIEDRICH Francesco &amp; MARGIS Thorsten 
Bronze???? Latvia / MELBARDIS Oskars &amp; STRENGA Janis 
 
Congratulations! 축하합니다???? <a href="https://t.co/JxcxYCTrTh">pic.twitter.com/JxcxYCTrTh</a>
&mdash; PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/pyeongchang2018/status/965587750983380992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Four-times world champion Friedrich set the fastest time but Kripps, in the final run of the competition, exactly matched his mark of three minutes 16.86 seconds.

&quot;It&#39;s great. It&#39;s two more people who are as happy as we are,&quot; Kripps told reporters. &quot;They&#39;re amazing competitors, we&#39;ve been friends and rivals for years so I couldn&#39;t be happier.&quot;

Germany equalled Switzerland&#39;s Olympic record of five golds in the event.

&nbsp;

Germany equalled Switzerland's Olympic record of five golds in the event

Canada's Justin Kripps and Germany's Francesco Friedrich won gold medals after a dramatic dead-heat in the men's Olympic two-man bobsleigh. Latvia's Oskars Melbardis took bronze behind the Canadian and German crews who were involved in the first dead-heat in the event since Nagano in 1998. Ahead of the final run at the Olympic Sliding Centre, the fastest five pilots were separated by less than a quarter of a second in blisteringly quick conditions due to low temperatures. Kripps, who tops the world bobsleigh driver rankings, had run three good heats, consistently placing first or second, and he needed to pull out another one to secure his first Olympic gold medal. 19FEB Bobsleigh -2-man 2/19 봅슬레이 - 남자 2인승 Gold???? Canada / KRIPPS Justin & KOPACZ Alexander Gold???? Germany / FRIEDRICH Francesco & MARGIS Thorsten Bronze???? Latvia / MELBARDIS Oskars & STRENGA Janis Congratulations! 축하합니다???? pic.twitter.com/JxcxYCTrTh — PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) February 19, 2018 × Four-times world champion Friedrich set the fastest time but Kripps, in the final run of the competition, exactly matched his mark of three minutes 16.86 seconds. "It's great. It's two more people who are as happy as we are," Kripps told reporters. "They're amazing competitors, we've been friends and rivals for years so I couldn't be happier." Germany equalled Switzerland's Olympic record of five golds in the event.

Bobsleigh: Canada, Germany in golden dead-heat

Tearful French figure skater Gabriella Papadakis called it her &quot;worst nightmare&quot; after she suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction on Monday in the Olympic ice dance competition.

A heavy title favourite along with partner Guillaume Cizeron, Papadakis&#39;s dress slipped during their routine in Pyeongchang but the French pair demonstrated remarkable composure and were in second place behind Canada&#39;s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

The mishap happened when the 22-year-old Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertently unclipped the back of her green costume.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/french-skater-suffers-dress-mishap-during-ice-dance-33357">Her halter-top</a>, complete with tassels and spangles, edged sideways to briefly expose her left breast.

The duo was still able to finish their short dance as Papadakis tried to keep her chest covered, but she left the ice in tears.

Compounding her embarrassment, the incident was replayed in slow motion on screens at the arena.

&quot;It was pretty distracting, my worst nightmare at the Olympics,&quot; Papadakis said after drying her eyes.

&quot;I felt it right away and I prayed.

&quot;I told myself &#39;you have to keep going&#39; and that&#39;s what we did and we have to be proud of ourselves, delivering a great performance with that happening.&quot;

Cizeron added: &quot;It&#39;s just frustrating to miss a few points because of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/french-skater-suffers-dress-mishap-during-ice-dance-33357">a costume issue</a>. It is not what we get ready for when we train.&quot;

The Vancouver 2010 champions Virtue and Moir posted a short-dance world record score of 83.67 points to take a lead of 1.74 into Tuesday&#39;s free dance.

Papadakis is not the first figure skater to have a wardrobe fail at these Games.

South Korean Min Yura won the hearts of skate fans on her Olympic debut after bravely battling on after a hook popped on her dress just seconds into her routine in the team short dance.

Focusing on executing her spins with partner Alexander Gamelin, Min had to keep adjusting her red top, winning rich praise from commentators for keeping her cool.

&nbsp;

A heavy title favourite Papadakis's dress slipped during their routine in Pyeongchang but the duo was still able to finish their short dance

Tearful French figure skater Gabriella Papadakis called it her "worst nightmare" after she suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction on Monday in the Olympic ice dance competition. A heavy title favourite along with partner Guillaume Cizeron, Papadakis's dress slipped during their routine in Pyeongchang but the French pair demonstrated remarkable composure and were in second place behind Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The mishap happened when the 22-year-old Papadakis leaned backwards early on and Cizeron inadvertently unclipped the back of her green costume. Her halter-top, complete with tassels and spangles, edged sideways to briefly expose her left breast. The duo was still able to finish their short dance as Papadakis tried to keep her chest covered, but she left the ice in tears. Compounding her embarrassment, the incident was replayed in slow motion on screens at the arena. "It was pretty distracting, my worst nightmare at the Olympics," Papadakis said after drying her eyes. "I felt it right away and I prayed. "I told myself 'you have to keep going' and that's what we did and we have to be proud of ourselves, delivering a great performance with that happening." Cizeron added: "It's just frustrating to miss a few points because of a costume issue. It is not what we get ready for when we train." The Vancouver 2010 champions Virtue and Moir posted a short-dance world record score of 83.67 points to take a lead of 1.74 into Tuesday's free dance. Papadakis is not the first figure skater to have a wardrobe fail at these Games. South Korean Min Yura won the hearts of skate fans on her Olympic debut after bravely battling on after a hook popped on her dress just seconds into her routine in the team short dance. Focusing on executing her spins with partner Alexander Gamelin, Min had to keep adjusting her red top, winning rich praise from commentators for keeping her cool.

French skater suffers dress mishap during ice dance

A doping case involving a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-olympic-curler-involved-in-doping-case-sources-33276"> Russian curler</a> at the Pyeongchang Olympics would be &quot;extremely disappointing&quot; if proved true, the International Olympic Committee said Monday.

&quot;It&#39;s extremely disappointing for us if a case is proven,&quot; IOC spokesman Mark Adams said after a curler from the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) delegation was implicated in the second doping scandal to hit the Games.

A spokesman for the OAR in Pyeongchang told Russian media that an A sample showed a possible violation of anti-doping rules and a B sample would be tested later Monday.

A fresh doping case would be deeply embarrassing for Russia, which was banned from the Pyeongchang Olympics over state-sponsored doping. But 168 Russian athletes deemed clean are competing as neutral Olympic Athletes from Russia.

If the case is confirmed, it will come before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is handling doping matters at the Olympics and has an ad hoc division in Pyeongchang.

It would also be considered by the panel which will ponder whether to end <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-olympic-curler-involved-in-doping-case-sources-33276">Russia&#39;s ban</a> as early as next week.

The IOC suspended Russia in December after revelations of a widespread and highly orchestrated doping conspiracy, which first emerged before the Rio 2016 Summer Games.

Investigations found that the doping plot, straddling several years, culminated when Russia hosted the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, where they topped the medals table.

Russian athletes in Pyeongchang are under strict instructions to honour the &quot;letter and spirit&quot; of guidelines governing their participation, including respect for anti-doping rules.

Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency&#39;s list of banned substances in 2016. Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, a former world number one, served a 15-month ban after testing positive for meldonium early that year.

&nbsp;

A Russian Olympic curler has been implicated in a doping case, sources claimed that the case involved meldonium

A doping case involving a Russian curler at the Pyeongchang Olympics would be "extremely disappointing" if proved true, the International Olympic Committee said Monday. "It's extremely disappointing for us if a case is proven," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said after a curler from the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) delegation was implicated in the second doping scandal to hit the Games. A spokesman for the OAR in Pyeongchang told Russian media that an A sample showed a possible violation of anti-doping rules and a B sample would be tested later Monday. A fresh doping case would be deeply embarrassing for Russia, which was banned from the Pyeongchang Olympics over state-sponsored doping. But 168 Russian athletes deemed clean are competing as neutral Olympic Athletes from Russia. If the case is confirmed, it will come before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is handling doping matters at the Olympics and has an ad hoc division in Pyeongchang. It would also be considered by the panel which will ponder whether to end Russia's ban as early as next week. The IOC suspended Russia in December after revelations of a widespread and highly orchestrated doping conspiracy, which first emerged before the Rio 2016 Summer Games. Investigations found that the doping plot, straddling several years, culminated when Russia hosted the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, where they topped the medals table. Russian athletes in Pyeongchang are under strict instructions to honour the "letter and spirit" of guidelines governing their participation, including respect for anti-doping rules. Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances in 2016. Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, a former world number one, served a 15-month ban after testing positive for meldonium early that year.

IOC: Russian doping case 'extremely disappointing' if proven

Winter Olympics is already underway, PyeongChang, South Korea is hosting the 23rd Olympic Winter Games.

It is a major international multi-sport event and&nbsp;athletes have come from all over the world to participate in the winter games.

Many athletes&nbsp;have already claimed their medals but now some&nbsp;unexpected participants have arrived to&nbsp;increase the competition.

South Korea is using the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to show off its prowess in robotics technology.

The robots are taking part in various games like skiing etc,&nbsp;and also provide assistance to the visitors. The ministry said 11 kinds of&nbsp;robots&nbsp;are being used.

South Korea&#39;s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said 85&nbsp;robots&nbsp;would be distributed across venues providing information about sports schedules and transport, cleaning as well as improving the appearance of the Games.

The organisers of the upcoming Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic games had already warned spectators that they will face sub-zero temperatures during the tournament but these robots are not freezing.

Robot fish with segmented bodies and flashing lights course back and forth in tanks at the main press centre, an automatic vacuum-cleaning robot the size of a washing machine works its way around the same centre and a painting robot prints a whole wall of murals on Olympic stadiums in a few passes.

&nbsp;

South Korea is using the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to show off its robotics skills and technology

Winter Olympics is already underway, PyeongChang, South Korea is hosting the 23rd Olympic Winter Games. It is a major international multi-sport event and athletes have come from all over the world to participate in the winter games. Many athletes have already claimed their medals but now some unexpected participants have arrived to increase the competition. South Korea is using the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to show off its prowess in robotics technology. The robots are taking part in various games like skiing etc, and also provide assistance to the visitors. The ministry said 11 kinds of robots are being used. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said 85 robots would be distributed across venues providing information about sports schedules and transport, cleaning as well as improving the appearance of the Games. The organisers of the upcoming Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic games had already warned spectators that they will face sub-zero temperatures during the tournament but these robots are not freezing. Robot fish with segmented bodies and flashing lights course back and forth in tanks at the main press centre, an automatic vacuum-cleaning robot the size of a washing machine works its way around the same centre and a painting robot prints a whole wall of murals on Olympic stadiums in a few passes.

Watch: Pyeongchang winter robots Olympics

&nbsp;US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in an interview to air tomorrow that he is &quot;listening&quot; for signs that North Korea is ready to engage in direct talks.

&quot;My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know, we keep our channels open,&quot; Tillerson told the CBS news show &quot;60 Minutes.&quot;

&quot;I am listening. I am not sending a lot of messages back because there&#39;s nothing to say to them at this point. So I am listening for you to tell me you are ready to talk,&quot; he said, according to excerpts of the interview.

An Olympic-driven thaw in relations between Kim Jong Un&#39;s nuclear armed North Korean regime and South Korea has raised speculation that direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang could be on the horizon after months of sharp tension and heated rhetoric.

&quot;They will tell me,&quot; Tillerson told &quot;60 Minutes.&quot;

&quot;We receive messages from them, and I think it will be very explicit as to how we want to have that first conversation.&quot;

The top US diplomat however stressed that no incentive was being offered to get Pyongyang to the table.

&quot;We are not using a carrot to convince them to talk, we are using large sticks -- and that is what they need to understand,&quot; he said.

&quot;This pressure campaign is having its bite on North Korea.&quot;

The North is subject to a series of UN Security Council sanctions over its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The United States has previously indicated Washington is open to direct talks, but Tillerson stressed earlier this month that the ball was now in Pyongyang&#39;s camp.

&quot;We&#39;ve said for some time it&#39;s really up to the North Koreans to decide when they&#39;re ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way,&quot; Tillerson said on February 12, while on a stop in Cairo.&nbsp;

'My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know, we keep our channels open,' Tillerson told a news channel

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in an interview to air tomorrow that he is "listening" for signs that North Korea is ready to engage in direct talks. "My job as chief diplomat is to ensure that the North Koreans know, we keep our channels open," Tillerson told the CBS news show "60 Minutes." "I am listening. I am not sending a lot of messages back because there's nothing to say to them at this point. So I am listening for you to tell me you are ready to talk," he said, according to excerpts of the interview. An Olympic-driven thaw in relations between Kim Jong Un's nuclear armed North Korean regime and South Korea has raised speculation that direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang could be on the horizon after months of sharp tension and heated rhetoric. "They will tell me," Tillerson told "60 Minutes." "We receive messages from them, and I think it will be very explicit as to how we want to have that first conversation." The top US diplomat however stressed that no incentive was being offered to get Pyongyang to the table. "We are not using a carrot to convince them to talk, we are using large sticks -- and that is what they need to understand," he said. "This pressure campaign is having its bite on North Korea." The North is subject to a series of UN Security Council sanctions over its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United States has previously indicated Washington is open to direct talks, but Tillerson stressed earlier this month that the ball was now in Pyongyang's camp. "We've said for some time it's really up to the North Koreans to decide when they're ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way," Tillerson said on February 12, while on a stop in Cairo.

Tillerson to North Korea on talks: 'I'm listening'

The canvas of white currently fascinating many viewers of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang may seem totally foreign to those more used to watching sport played under the summer sun. It is grey and cold in the South Korean alpine town. Temperatures drop below -10℃ at night.

Many might have questions about how elite athletes can perform to their best in such cold conditions. So, what&rsquo;s happening to the body in the cold. What stresses does it experience? And what about injury?

What happens to muscle in the cold?

If human muscle is cooled by one degree, it loses 2-5% of its performance. A whole host of muscle properties can be affected, such as the time it takes a muscle to generate peak tension and then the time to relax from this peak.

Cold also disrupts the nervous impulses that control muscle through changes in activation patterns. So, there may be a delay in the sequence in which muscle activates to create and control movement. This equates to about a 10-20% loss in vertical jump height and a reduction of up to 25% in peak muscle power.&nbsp;

For a landing, the limbs and joints become stiffer. This means much more force gets absorbed by a body&rsquo;s trunk rather than in the lower limbs.&nbsp;

The losses in performance have been attributed to an increase in thickness of the fluid in muscle and joints, as well as the disruption of nervous input to muscle.

How does this translate to sporting performance?&nbsp;

In the longer events like cross-country and the longer downhill skiing runs, generating muscle heat isn&rsquo;t as much of an issue. The events are long enough to allow elevated metabolism to generate enough body heat to offset the effects of the cold temperature.&nbsp;

But in the shorter events &ndash; like aerial skiing, moguls, ski jumping and many of the snowboarding events &ndash; getting a good warm-up and maintaining the heat close to the skin are imperative.

Modern winter sport clothing relies on layering to maintain warmth. Athletes generally layer up with a next-to-skin garment, a mid-layer insulation, and an outer layer to protect from the wind and water. The next-to-skin layer is commonly worn to keep skin temperatures (and hopefully muscle temperatures) up.

Many athletes are now also using warming cuffs or pads which they remove just before their event. These self-warming devices fit over the next-to-skin garment and maintain the warmth around the large muscles and joints of the lower limbs.&nbsp; 
But what if you don&rsquo;t have the luxury of being an elite athlete?&nbsp;

The next time you hit the snow or exercise in the cold and don&rsquo;t have the benefit of self-warming garments, take the time to warm up &ndash; thoroughly. This increases your metabolism and, in turn, warms the body from within.&nbsp;

Next, try to maintain the muscle temperature by wearing an insulated, next-to-skin garment that holds some of the heat generated.

And if you&rsquo;re on a chairlift preparing to ski, remember that your muscles are cooling and losing some of their force and power-generating potential. Do a short secondary warm-up at the top of the run, or start up slow and build into the run.

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/206313/original/file-20180214-174990-7zh9yk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" />
<figcaption>
Modern winter sport clothing relies on layering to maintain warmth. EPA/Filip Singer

What about injury?
</figcaption>
</figure>

The most popular winter sports &ndash; downhill skiing and snowboarding &ndash; have quite high injury rates, mostly to the lower limbs. Improper techniques &ndash; especially landing techniques &ndash; have been linked to many of these injuries.

Some studies have also linked colder temperatures to increased injury rates. These studies suggest the increased injury rates are a result of changes in muscle performance coupled with the increased biomechanical demands of winter sport, such as having your feet bound to skis or a snowboard, performing sharp turns, and landing from a jump.

While watching the Pyeonchang Olympics on your couch, spare a thought for the changes in the body caused by the environment these athletes compete in. It fundamentally changes the body parts they rely on to carve, flip, twist, turn, slide, grab and generally shred up the Games&rsquo; white canvas.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-winter-olympic-athletes-cope-with-the-cold-91575" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Athletes attending Winter Olympics find it difficult to keep up the performance due to the cold weather

The canvas of white currently fascinating many viewers of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang may seem totally foreign to those more used to watching sport played under the summer sun. It is grey and cold in the South Korean alpine town. Temperatures drop below -10℃ at night. Many might have questions about how elite athletes can perform to their best in such cold conditions. So, what’s happening to the body in the cold. What stresses does it experience? And what about injury? What happens to muscle in the cold? If human muscle is cooled by one degree, it loses 2-5% of its performance. A whole host of muscle properties can be affected, such as the time it takes a muscle to generate peak tension and then the time to relax from this peak. Cold also disrupts the nervous impulses that control muscle through changes in activation patterns. So, there may be a delay in the sequence in which muscle activates to create and control movement. This equates to about a 10-20% loss in vertical jump height and a reduction of up to 25% in peak muscle power. For a landing, the limbs and joints become stiffer. This means much more force gets absorbed by a body’s trunk rather than in the lower limbs. The losses in performance have been attributed to an increase in thickness of the fluid in muscle and joints, as well as the disruption of nervous input to muscle. How does this translate to sporting performance? In the longer events like cross-country and the longer downhill skiing runs, generating muscle heat isn’t as much of an issue. The events are long enough to allow elevated metabolism to generate enough body heat to offset the effects of the cold temperature. But in the shorter events – like aerial skiing, moguls, ski jumping and many of the snowboarding events – getting a good warm-up and maintaining the heat close to the skin are imperative. Modern winter sport clothing relies on layering to maintain warmth. Athletes generally layer up with a next-to-skin garment, a mid-layer insulation, and an outer layer to protect from the wind and water. The next-to-skin layer is commonly worn to keep skin temperatures (and hopefully muscle temperatures) up. Many athletes are now also using warming cuffs or pads which they remove just before their event. These self-warming devices fit over the next-to-skin garment and maintain the warmth around the large muscles and joints of the lower limbs. But what if you don’t have the luxury of being an elite athlete? The next time you hit the snow or exercise in the cold and don’t have the benefit of self-warming garments, take the time to warm up – thoroughly. This increases your metabolism and, in turn, warms the body from within. Next, try to maintain the muscle temperature by wearing an insulated, next-to-skin garment that holds some of the heat generated. And if you’re on a chairlift preparing to ski, remember that your muscles are cooling and losing some of their force and power-generating potential. Do a short secondary warm-up at the top of the run, or start up slow and build into the run. Modern winter sport clothing relies on layering to maintain warmth. EPA/Filip Singer What about injury? The most popular winter sports – downhill skiing and snowboarding – have quite high injury rates, mostly to the lower limbs. Improper techniques – especially landing techniques – have been linked to many of these injuries. Some studies have also linked colder temperatures to increased injury rates. These studies suggest the increased injury rates are a result of changes in muscle performance coupled with the increased biomechanical demands of winter sport, such as having your feet bound to skis or a snowboard, performing sharp turns, and landing from a jump. While watching the Pyeonchang Olympics on your couch, spare a thought for the changes in the body caused by the environment these athletes compete in. It fundamentally changes the body parts they rely on to carve, flip, twist, turn, slide, grab and generally shred up the Games’ white canvas. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How are Winter Olympic athletes coping with cold in Pyeongchang

Roared on by the home crowd at the start of a lunar new year observed in Korea, the 23-year-old stormed to his country&#39;s second gold medal of the Games -- with plenty to spare.

Yun clocked a combined time of three minutes, 20.55 seconds for his four runs, with Nikita Tregubov, an Olympic Athlete From Russia, taking silver.

Dom Parson&#39;s celebrated with gusto after winning Britain&#39;s first skeleton medal in 70 years.

But the day belonged to Yun, who slides in an Iron Man-copy helmet that makes him look like a superhero as he rockets around the course.

&quot;It has been my dream to win the gold medal since I started off in skeleton,&quot; the South Korean told reporters after winning by a record margin of 1.63 seconds.

&quot;But this is just the beginning for me.&quot;

Yun sank to his knees as he soaked up the adulation of the crowd, thanking them for their raucous support as they chanted: &quot;Yun Sung-bin, Yun Sung-bin!&quot;

&quot;I was a little worried about racing on the morning of the lunar new year,&quot; added the former world silver medallist.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s a national holiday so I thought not many people would come to support. But so many people came to watch and I know many more watched on TV. That support really helped push me to win the gold medal.&quot;

Before these Games, only nine different countries had won medals in skeleton, where athletes throw themselves down an icy shute on the bellies head-first.

Typically the likes of the United States, Austria, Canada, Germany and Switzerland have dominated the sport but Yun upset the established order with his breath-taking speed.

&quot;It feels unbelievable to win Olympic gold,&quot; said Yun. &quot;It&#39;s a great honour.&quot;

Parsons, who finished just two hundredths off silver, was nevertheless ecstatic after claiming Britain&#39;s first medal of the Games.

&quot;I don&#39;t know, it hasn&#39;t really sunk in yet -- I thought I&#39;d lost it after that fourth run,&quot; he said after a mistake from Latvia&#39;s Tomass Dukurs allowed him to slip into medal contention.&nbsp;

&quot;I was very lucky to be able to move up. Martins is the last person I&#39;d expect to make those kind of mistakes. He&#39;s been dominant for so many years.

&quot;It&#39;s incredible, four years of work has gone into this.&quot;

&nbsp;

Yun clocked a combined time of three minutes, 20.55 seconds for his four runs, with Nikita Tregubov, an Olympic Athlete From Russia, taking silver

Roared on by the home crowd at the start of a lunar new year observed in Korea, the 23-year-old stormed to his country's second gold medal of the Games -- with plenty to spare. Yun clocked a combined time of three minutes, 20.55 seconds for his four runs, with Nikita Tregubov, an Olympic Athlete From Russia, taking silver. Dom Parson's celebrated with gusto after winning Britain's first skeleton medal in 70 years. But the day belonged to Yun, who slides in an Iron Man-copy helmet that makes him look like a superhero as he rockets around the course. "It has been my dream to win the gold medal since I started off in skeleton," the South Korean told reporters after winning by a record margin of 1.63 seconds. "But this is just the beginning for me." Yun sank to his knees as he soaked up the adulation of the crowd, thanking them for their raucous support as they chanted: "Yun Sung-bin, Yun Sung-bin!" "I was a little worried about racing on the morning of the lunar new year," added the former world silver medallist. "It's a national holiday so I thought not many people would come to support. But so many people came to watch and I know many more watched on TV. That support really helped push me to win the gold medal." Before these Games, only nine different countries had won medals in skeleton, where athletes throw themselves down an icy shute on the bellies head-first. Typically the likes of the United States, Austria, Canada, Germany and Switzerland have dominated the sport but Yun upset the established order with his breath-taking speed. "It feels unbelievable to win Olympic gold," said Yun. "It's a great honour." Parsons, who finished just two hundredths off silver, was nevertheless ecstatic after claiming Britain's first medal of the Games. "I don't know, it hasn't really sunk in yet -- I thought I'd lost it after that fourth run," he said after a mistake from Latvia's Tomass Dukurs allowed him to slip into medal contention. "I was very lucky to be able to move up. Martins is the last person I'd expect to make those kind of mistakes. He's been dominant for so many years. "It's incredible, four years of work has gone into this."

Korean 'Iron Man' Kim wins historic Olympic skeleton gold

Two Swiss athletes contracted the highly contagious norovirus that has sickened scores of people at the Pyeongchang Olympics, officials said Friday, the first competitors known to have fallen ill with the bug.

The Swiss Olympic team did not name the two athletes, but Swiss media RTS said it was the freestyle skiers, Fabian Boesch and Elias Ambuehl.

They were not staying at the Olympic Village, the team said in a statement, and are no longer showing symptoms of the illness.

The Swiss team hopes they will recover sufficiently to take part in the Games.

More than 200 people at the Games -- mostly security staff -- have fallen sick with the virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

&nbsp;

The Swiss Olympic team did not name the two athletes but report says it was the freestyle skiers, Fabian Boesch and Elias Ambuehl

Two Swiss athletes contracted the highly contagious norovirus that has sickened scores of people at the Pyeongchang Olympics, officials said Friday, the first competitors known to have fallen ill with the bug. The Swiss Olympic team did not name the two athletes, but Swiss media RTS said it was the freestyle skiers, Fabian Boesch and Elias Ambuehl. They were not staying at the Olympic Village, the team said in a statement, and are no longer showing symptoms of the illness. The Swiss team hopes they will recover sufficiently to take part in the Games. More than 200 people at the Games -- mostly security staff -- have fallen sick with the virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

2 Swiss athletes sick with norovirus at Winter Olympics

Dangerous winds played havoc with the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics on Wednesday, forcing the postponement of two medal events and closing a major area for spectators who were told to stay indoors.

The women&#39;s slalom skiing and a women&#39;s biathlon race were both postponed until later in the week, while the Nordic combined competition was delayed and snowboarders complained of poor visibility as the halfpipe final went ahead in heavy snowfall.

Four straight days of high winds have badly disrupted the skiing in particular. Only one ski race has been held so far: the men&#39;s combined, which was also delayed to allow winds to subside.&nbsp;

Strong winds were also blamed for a near-farcical women&#39;s slopestyle competition on Monday when almost all competitors crashed in the heavy gusts.

On Wednesday, conditions were also far from perfect at the men&#39;s halfpipe final where several riders fell, including Japan&#39;s Yuto Totsuka, 16, who was rushed to hospital after a horror wipe-out.

Japanese Olympic officials told AFP the teenager had undergone a CT scan, which revealed no fracture or serious injury, before being released.

Gold medallist Shaun White said he had been &quot;struggling to see blue lines to land on&quot;.

&quot;The pipe itself was great but the light was pretty bad, which made it difficult to land jumps,&quot; said Japan&#39;s Ayumu Hirano, who took silver.

Earlier in the day, the alpine skiing programme -- seen by many as the pinnacle of the Winter Games -- suffered the third postponement as the women&#39;s slalom fell victim to the blustery conditions.

The men&#39;s downhill skiing was postponed on Sunday for the same reason, as was the women&#39;s giant slalom on Monday. Only the men&#39;s combined have been held so far.

According to officials, winds of up to 25 metres (82 feet) per second have made it difficult even to stand in some mountain areas.

However, organisers say they have no concerns about fitting in the 10 remaining gold medal races before the end of the Games on February 25.

&quot;If the wind continues to blow for the next 15 days then I guess it might be a problem,&quot; said International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams.

&#39;Stay indoors&#39;&nbsp;

Separately, the wind caused chaos at Gangneung Olympic Park, where outside stands were damaged and staff struggled to hold down metal-detecting security scanners to stop them being ripped from their fittings.

The area was closed to visitors, with spectators urged to stay indoors. Shops were shut and outdoor activities were cancelled in the area, where there are four ice sports arenas.

&quot;Due to high winds... all activities in the common domain of the Gangneung Olympic Park have been temporarily suspended,&quot; said a statement from Games organisers.

Spectators with tickets were still able to attend sports events but Olympic volunteers with megaphones shouted instructions for other visitors to leave the area, directing them to bus and train transportation.

Temporary structures housing media were also closed, with journalists sent to work in the stadium tribunes instead.

Events at the Olympic Park Wednesday include the women&#39;s ice hockey match between the unified Korean team and Japan as well as men&#39;s ice hockey, curling and speed skating.

Four straight days of high winds have badly disrupted the skiing in particular

Dangerous winds played havoc with the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics on Wednesday, forcing the postponement of two medal events and closing a major area for spectators who were told to stay indoors. The women's slalom skiing and a women's biathlon race were both postponed until later in the week, while the Nordic combined competition was delayed and snowboarders complained of poor visibility as the halfpipe final went ahead in heavy snowfall. Four straight days of high winds have badly disrupted the skiing in particular. Only one ski race has been held so far: the men's combined, which was also delayed to allow winds to subside. Strong winds were also blamed for a near-farcical women's slopestyle competition on Monday when almost all competitors crashed in the heavy gusts. On Wednesday, conditions were also far from perfect at the men's halfpipe final where several riders fell, including Japan's Yuto Totsuka, 16, who was rushed to hospital after a horror wipe-out. Japanese Olympic officials told AFP the teenager had undergone a CT scan, which revealed no fracture or serious injury, before being released. Gold medallist Shaun White said he had been "struggling to see blue lines to land on". "The pipe itself was great but the light was pretty bad, which made it difficult to land jumps," said Japan's Ayumu Hirano, who took silver. Earlier in the day, the alpine skiing programme -- seen by many as the pinnacle of the Winter Games -- suffered the third postponement as the women's slalom fell victim to the blustery conditions. The men's downhill skiing was postponed on Sunday for the same reason, as was the women's giant slalom on Monday. Only the men's combined have been held so far. According to officials, winds of up to 25 metres (82 feet) per second have made it difficult even to stand in some mountain areas. However, organisers say they have no concerns about fitting in the 10 remaining gold medal races before the end of the Games on February 25. "If the wind continues to blow for the next 15 days then I guess it might be a problem," said International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams. 'Stay indoors' Separately, the wind caused chaos at Gangneung Olympic Park, where outside stands were damaged and staff struggled to hold down metal-detecting security scanners to stop them being ripped from their fittings. The area was closed to visitors, with spectators urged to stay indoors. Shops were shut and outdoor activities were cancelled in the area, where there are four ice sports arenas. "Due to high winds... all activities in the common domain of the Gangneung Olympic Park have been temporarily suspended," said a statement from Games organisers. Spectators with tickets were still able to attend sports events but Olympic volunteers with megaphones shouted instructions for other visitors to leave the area, directing them to bus and train transportation. Temporary structures housing media were also closed, with journalists sent to work in the stadium tribunes instead. Events at the Olympic Park Wednesday include the women's ice hockey match between the unified Korean team and Japan as well as men's ice hockey, curling and speed skating.

Dangerous winds postpone Winter Olympic events, send visitors packing

Swiss Olympic freestyle skier Fabian Boesch took the less travelled route up an escalator during a break in the team&#39;s pre-Olympic training in Bokwang, South Korea.

Switzerland yet to claim a medal in the ongoing 23rd winter games.

Currently, Germany is leading the medals tally with four Gold, one Silver and two Bronze.

Norway has the&nbsp;maximum number of medals; two Gold, four Silver and three Bronze.

Americans have picked up the pace quite quickly and have reached number two spot with three Gold, one Silver and two bronze till Tuesday.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfFq2VfAcCj/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.5% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfFq2VfAcCj/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">After 20 years I still couldn&#39;t figure out how these things work! Am I doing it right? ????: @jonashunziker</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/buhsch/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Fabian B&ouml;sch</a> (@buhsch) on <time datetime="2018-02-12T07:54:50+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 11, 2018 at 11:54pm PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Watch another video of&nbsp;Fabian Boesch.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfAo0kDAB1f/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfAo0kDAB1f/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Bobsled Team SUI 1 is ready to get Gold???? w/@jeanpedro #feeltherhythmfeeltherhyme ????: @andriragettli</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/buhsch/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Fabian B&ouml;sch</a> (@buhsch) on <time datetime="2018-02-10T08:50:42+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 10, 2018 at 12:50am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Swiss freestyle skier Fabian Boesch ascends an escalator by hanging from one arm on the outer side

Swiss Olympic freestyle skier Fabian Boesch took the less travelled route up an escalator during a break in the team's pre-Olympic training in Bokwang, South Korea. Switzerland yet to claim a medal in the ongoing 23rd winter games. Currently, Germany is leading the medals tally with four Gold, one Silver and two Bronze. Norway has the maximum number of medals; two Gold, four Silver and three Bronze. Americans have picked up the pace quite quickly and have reached number two spot with three Gold, one Silver and two bronze till Tuesday. After 20 years I still couldn't figure out how these things work! Am I doing it right? ????: @jonashunziker A post shared by Fabian Bösch (@buhsch) on Feb 11, 2018 at 11:54pm PST × Watch another video of Fabian Boesch. Bobsled Team SUI 1 is ready to get Gold???? w/@jeanpedro #feeltherhythmfeeltherhyme ????: @andriragettli A post shared by Fabian Bösch (@buhsch) on Feb 10, 2018 at 12:50am PST ×

Watch: Swiss Olympian Fabian Boesch ascends escalator in a whole new way

A very special dessert was served at the Olympic dinner by South Korea to break the ice between South Korea and North Korea.

Dark chocolate tempered in the shape of barbed wire lay over a map of Korean peninsula rendered in thin blue chocolate, a representation of the heavily militarised border that separates South Korea and its old enemy in the North.

The guests, including leaders of North and South, were invited to pour melted white chocolate on top - and the barbed wire would dissolve.

The dessert, called &quot;A Plate of Hope&quot;, was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in served his dozen VIP guests at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics&#39; pre-opening party.

After the successful visit of lady Kim to South Korea, now time will tell whether the &quot;the chocolate barbed wire&quot; would dissolve or not between the two nations which are technically at war.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
(2/2) &quot;The dessert, called &#39;A Plate of Hope&#39;, was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in planned to serve his dozen VIP guests, which were to include U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics&rsquo; pre-opening party on Friday.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LAc9YLuxl4">pic.twitter.com/LAc9YLuxl4</a>
&mdash; Arapaho415 (@arapaho415) <a href="https://twitter.com/arapaho415/status/962519349742379008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

The dessert, called "A Plate of Hope", was served by South Korean President Moon Jae at an Olympic dinner

A very special dessert was served at the Olympic dinner by South Korea to break the ice between South Korea and North Korea. Dark chocolate tempered in the shape of barbed wire lay over a map of Korean peninsula rendered in thin blue chocolate, a representation of the heavily militarised border that separates South Korea and its old enemy in the North. The guests, including leaders of North and South, were invited to pour melted white chocolate on top - and the barbed wire would dissolve. The dessert, called "A Plate of Hope", was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in served his dozen VIP guests at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics' pre-opening party. After the successful visit of lady Kim to South Korea, now time will tell whether the "the chocolate barbed wire" would dissolve or not between the two nations which are technically at war. (2/2) "The dessert, called 'A Plate of Hope', was what South Korean President Moon Jae-in planned to serve his dozen VIP guests, which were to include U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics’ pre-opening party on Friday." pic.twitter.com/LAc9YLuxl4 — Arapaho415 (@arapaho415) February 11, 2018 ×

Winter Olympics: South Korea served 'Plate of Hope' to northern neighbours

Japanese short-track speed skater Kei Saito has tested positive for doping at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games, the first doping case of the Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport&nbsp;said Tuesday.

Saito, 21, failed an out-of-competition test, the anti-doping authority said in a statement, adding that he tested positive for acetalozamide, a banned diuretic which is considered as a masking agent.

It said the Japanese Olympic Committee had scheduled a &nbsp;press conference Tuesday to address Saito&#39;s adverse finding.

The CAS statement said Saito had left the athletes&#39; Olympic Village voluntarily and would be provisionally suspended from the Olympics and other competitions pending a full investigation.

Saito, a human biology student whose sister Hitomi is also competing in Pyeongchang, was a member of Japan&#39;s 3,000m relay team that finished third at the 2013 and 2014 world junior championships.

&nbsp;

Saito, 21, failed an out-of-competition test in the lead-up to the Games, the agency said late Monday, citing unnamed sources

Japanese short-track speed skater Kei Saito has tested positive for doping at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games, the first doping case of the Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Tuesday. Saito, 21, failed an out-of-competition test, the anti-doping authority said in a statement, adding that he tested positive for acetalozamide, a banned diuretic which is considered as a masking agent. It said the Japanese Olympic Committee had scheduled a press conference Tuesday to address Saito's adverse finding. The CAS statement said Saito had left the athletes' Olympic Village voluntarily and would be provisionally suspended from the Olympics and other competitions pending a full investigation. Saito, a human biology student whose sister Hitomi is also competing in Pyeongchang, was a member of Japan's 3,000m relay team that finished third at the 2013 and 2014 world junior championships.

Japanese Olympic speed skater tests positive for doping: CAS

North Korean leader Kim Jong<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-has-strong-will-to-improve-inter-korean-relations-south-korea-32567"> Un today praised the &quot;impressive features</a> of&nbsp;South Korea expressing &quot;thanks&quot; to Seoul even as Japanese PM Abe said South Korean president Moon HAD agreed to keep &quot;maximum pressure&quot; on North Korea.

The North Korean delegation headed by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/kim-yo-jong-meet-the-ivanka-trump-of-north-korea-684#photo-37445"> Kim&#39;s sister Kim Yo Jong</a> returned to Pyongyang on Monday.

&quot;After receiving the delegation&#39;s report, Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over it and said that very impressive were the features of the south side which specially prioritised the visit of the members of the DPRK side who took part in the Winter Olympics,&quot; North Korea&#39;s state-run media KCNA said.

The KCNA report said North Korean leader wished to build on the rapprochement at the Winter Olympics, saying that he felt it &quot;is important to continue making good results by further livening up the warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue&quot;.

Kim Yo Jong returned home after a successful diplomatic outreach with the South as she met President &nbsp;Moon Jae-in and helped cool&nbsp;down the political temperature on the Korean peninsula plagued by months of uncertainty over her brother Kim Jong Un&#39;s ballistic missile tests.

The report added that Kim &quot;set forth in detail the orientation of the improvement of the north-south relations and gave important instructions to the relevant field to take practical measures for it.&quot;

The North Korean delegation headed by Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong returned to Pyongyang on Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un today praised the "impressive features of South Korea expressing "thanks" to Seoul even as Japanese PM Abe said South Korean president Moon HAD agreed to keep "maximum pressure" on North Korea. The North Korean delegation headed by Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong returned to Pyongyang on Monday. "After receiving the delegation's report, Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over it and said that very impressive were the features of the south side which specially prioritised the visit of the members of the DPRK side who took part in the Winter Olympics," North Korea's state-run media KCNA said. The KCNA report said North Korean leader wished to build on the rapprochement at the Winter Olympics, saying that he felt it "is important to continue making good results by further livening up the warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue". Kim Yo Jong returned home after a successful diplomatic outreach with the South as she met President Moon Jae-in and helped cool down the political temperature on the Korean peninsula plagued by months of uncertainty over her brother Kim Jong Un's ballistic missile tests. The report added that Kim "set forth in detail the orientation of the improvement of the north-south relations and gave important instructions to the relevant field to take practical measures for it."

'Important to continue good results,' says North Korean leader Kim

Novak Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round of 16 appearance at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The six-time champion advanced with a clear-cut 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2hr 21min on Margaret Court Arena.

But there was concern in the Serb&#39;s camp when the former world No.1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back.

Djokovic, looking for matches after six months out with right elbow trouble, will next face South Korea&#39;s Chung Hyeon in Sunday&#39;s fourth round after he shocked Alexander Zverev.

The injury was a fresh concern for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has slipped to 14 after an inactive second half of 2017.

But Djokovic was workmanlike as broke the Spaniard`s serve five times, although his errors outnumbered his winners 40-37.

&quot;It was a straight sets win, but it was almost two-and-a-half hours, so it wasn`t that easy and comfortable on the court,&quot; Djokovic said.

&quot;I knew coming into the match that he was a great fighter, he grinds it out and gets a lot of balls back.

&quot;Obviously for me it`s taking it one match at a time but I have to be more humble with my expectations as I haven`t played in the last six months.

&quot;But I am very pleased where my game is at.&quot;

 
Should Djokovic beat Chung he is facing a potential quarter-final against Austria`s fifth seed Dominic Thiem, who must first get past American surprise packet Tennys Sandgren on Monday.

Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round

Novak Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round of 16 appearance at the Australian Open on Saturday. The six-time champion advanced with a clear-cut 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2hr 21min on Margaret Court Arena. But there was concern in the Serb's camp when the former world No.1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back. Djokovic, looking for matches after six months out with right elbow trouble, will next face South Korea's Chung Hyeon in Sunday's fourth round after he shocked Alexander Zverev. The injury was a fresh concern for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has slipped to 14 after an inactive second half of 2017. But Djokovic was workmanlike as broke the Spaniard`s serve five times, although his errors outnumbered his winners 40-37. "It was a straight sets win, but it was almost two-and-a-half hours, so it wasn`t that easy and comfortable on the court," Djokovic said. "I knew coming into the match that he was a great fighter, he grinds it out and gets a lot of balls back. "Obviously for me it`s taking it one match at a time but I have to be more humble with my expectations as I haven`t played in the last six months. "But I am very pleased where my game is at." Should Djokovic beat Chung he is facing a potential quarter-final against Austria`s fifth seed Dominic Thiem, who must first get past American surprise packet Tennys Sandgren on Monday.

Novak Djokovic powers into 11th Aussie Open fourth round

South Korea will ban the use of anonymous bank accounts in cryptocurrency trading from January 30, regulators said on Tuesday in a widely telegraphed move designed to stop virtual coins from being used for money laundering and other crimes.

The measure comes on top of stepped up efforts by Seoul to temper South Koreans&#39;&nbsp;obsession with cryptocurrencies.

Everyone from housewives to college students and office workers has rushed to trade the market despite warnings from global policymakers about investing in an asset that lacks broad regulatory oversight.&nbsp;

The bitcoin price in South Korea extended loss following the latest regulatory announcement, down 3.34 percent at $12,699 as of 0409 GMT, according to Bithumb, the country&#39;s second-largest virtual currency exchange.&nbsp;

Bitcoin slumped nearly 20 percent last week to a four-week low on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange, pressured by worries over a possible ban on trading the virtual asset in South Korean exchanges.

In Tuesday afternoon trade, it was up 5.4 per cent at $10,925.&nbsp;

Policymakers around the world are calling for tougher, coordinated regulation of cryptocurrency trading. South Korea&#39;s chief financial regulator last week said the government may consider shutting down domestic virtual currency exchanges.

South Korea&#39;s Presidential office has clarified that an outright ban on trading on the virtual currency exchanges is only one of the steps being considered and not a measure that has been finalised.

&quot;The government is still discussing whether an outright ban is needed or not, internally,&quot; a government official who declined to be named said after Tuesday&#39;s briefing.

Over the past month, government statements have underscored differences between the Justice Ministry, which has pushed for a more hardline approach, and regulators who have shown a reluctance to enforce an outright ban.&nbsp;

Starting January 30, cryptocurrency traders in South Korea will not be allowed to make deposits into their virtual currency exchange wallets unless the names on their bank accounts match the account name in cryptocurrency exchanges, Kim Yong-beom, vice chairman of the Financial Services Commission told a news conference in Seoul.

&quot;Everyone knew this was coming, as the government already said they will enforce the real-name system before. Rather, I can see this as a chance to go in, not out. I don`t see any reason to take my money out,&quot; said a local bitcoin investor who only agreed to be identified by his family name Ahn.&nbsp;

The regulator has previously said it will come up with detailed guidelines for local banks to properly identify its clients by their real names in cryptocurrency transactions.

To make deposits into virtual coin wallets, cryptocurrency traders will need to identify themselves with their real names at the exchange and have those matched with information at local banks by January 30. 
&nbsp;

The measure comes on top of stepped up efforts by Seoul to temper South Koreans' obsession with cryptocurrencies

South Korea will ban the use of anonymous bank accounts in cryptocurrency trading from January 30, regulators said on Tuesday in a widely telegraphed move designed to stop virtual coins from being used for money laundering and other crimes. The measure comes on top of stepped up efforts by Seoul to temper South Koreans' obsession with cryptocurrencies. Everyone from housewives to college students and office workers has rushed to trade the market despite warnings from global policymakers about investing in an asset that lacks broad regulatory oversight. The bitcoin price in South Korea extended loss following the latest regulatory announcement, down 3.34 percent at $12,699 as of 0409 GMT, according to Bithumb, the country's second-largest virtual currency exchange. Bitcoin slumped nearly 20 percent last week to a four-week low on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange, pressured by worries over a possible ban on trading the virtual asset in South Korean exchanges. In Tuesday afternoon trade, it was up 5.4 per cent at $10,925. Policymakers around the world are calling for tougher, coordinated regulation of cryptocurrency trading. South Korea's chief financial regulator last week said the government may consider shutting down domestic virtual currency exchanges. South Korea's Presidential office has clarified that an outright ban on trading on the virtual currency exchanges is only one of the steps being considered and not a measure that has been finalised. "The government is still discussing whether an outright ban is needed or not, internally," a government official who declined to be named said after Tuesday's briefing. Over the past month, government statements have underscored differences between the Justice Ministry, which has pushed for a more hardline approach, and regulators who have shown a reluctance to enforce an outright ban. Starting January 30, cryptocurrency traders in South Korea will not be allowed to make deposits into their virtual currency exchange wallets unless the names on their bank accounts match the account name in cryptocurrency exchanges, Kim Yong-beom, vice chairman of the Financial Services Commission told a news conference in Seoul. "Everyone knew this was coming, as the government already said they will enforce the real-name system before. Rather, I can see this as a chance to go in, not out. I don`t see any reason to take my money out," said a local bitcoin investor who only agreed to be identified by his family name Ahn. The regulator has previously said it will come up with detailed guidelines for local banks to properly identify its clients by their real names in cryptocurrency transactions. To make deposits into virtual coin wallets, cryptocurrency traders will need to identify themselves with their real names at the exchange and have those matched with information at local banks by January 30.

South Korea to ban cryptocurrency traders from using anonymous bank accounts

The US State Department on Friday said that they have no plans to meet North Korean officials in the upcoming PyeongChang Olympics.&nbsp;

&quot;There are no plans to meet with North Korean officials,&quot; Katina Adams, a spokeswoman for the State Department&#39;s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said on Friday.

The spokesperson also stated that the US did not have an objection with North Koreas participation and that their participation is not a shocker - she said in response to South Korea breaching international sanctions on the North over their invitation in the games.&nbsp;

&quot;The United States does not determine which countries may or may not participate in Olympic Games. The modern Olympic Games were born out of an ideal for peaceful sporting competition amongst nations. In that spirit, the United States looks forward to participating in the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month,&quot; she added.

She further iterated that North Koreas participation in the games is completely separate from politics.&nbsp;

Earlier, North and South Korea agreed to field a joint women&#39;s ice hockey team and march together under a unified Korea flag at the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The two Koreas also agreed to hold a joint cultural event at Mount Kumgang on the North Korean east coast before the Winter Games.

The Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place at South Korea&#39;s Pyeongchang from February 9-25.

The development between the two countries has brought some ease into their strained relations.

The two sides have also agreed to hold military talks on solving border tensions.

The spokesperson also stated that the US did not have an objection with North Koreas participation and that their participation is not a shocker - she said in response to South Korea breaching international sanctions on the North over their invitation in the games

The US State Department on Friday said that they have no plans to meet North Korean officials in the upcoming PyeongChang Olympics. "There are no plans to meet with North Korean officials," Katina Adams, a spokeswoman for the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said on Friday. The spokesperson also stated that the US did not have an objection with North Koreas participation and that their participation is not a shocker - she said in response to South Korea breaching international sanctions on the North over their invitation in the games. "The United States does not determine which countries may or may not participate in Olympic Games. The modern Olympic Games were born out of an ideal for peaceful sporting competition amongst nations. In that spirit, the United States looks forward to participating in the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month," she added. She further iterated that North Koreas participation in the games is completely separate from politics. Earlier, North and South Korea agreed to field a joint women's ice hockey team and march together under a unified Korea flag at the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The two Koreas also agreed to hold a joint cultural event at Mount Kumgang on the North Korean east coast before the Winter Games. The Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place at South Korea's Pyeongchang from February 9-25. The development between the two countries has brought some ease into their strained relations. The two sides have also agreed to hold military talks on solving border tensions.

US has no plans of meeting North Korea officials in PyeongChang Olympics

Call it the effect of salvos between Trump and Kim Jong-un or maybe some good sense prevailed, as a welcome gesture, North and South Korea agreed on Wednesday to march their athletes together under one flag at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics next month and to field a joint women&rsquo;s ice hockey team.

&nbsp;

Though it is a small event but a seminal one. It may certainly pave the path for a possible political reconciliation between these two nations. The event is significant for the world as it is the sign of ebbing madness of Kin Jong-un who appeared hell-bent to go for a skirmish with the USA and pushing the world to the danger of nuclear war.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sports and politics, diplomacy and animosity have been in a close relationship for decades, more of a love-hate relationship. Sports, by and large, have been great healer and reconciler. At times it has set the tone for a larger peace narrative. Remember, how in 1987&nbsp; Pakistan&rsquo;s premier Zia-ul-Haq flew to Jaipur to catch the action of India-Pakistan Test match after BCCI extended invitation to him. Zia claimed that his objective was to restore communication and release tension. Later that year, India and Pakistan jointly organised the ICC Cricket World Cup.

&nbsp;

Sports breaks the barrier, brings good sense, embarrasses flag bearers of hatred and serve as the epitome of great human values. In the 1936 Berlin Olympic, Hitler was determined to showcase Germany&#39;s might to the world. However, it was an American black athlete Jesse Owens who stole the show by winning four Gold Medals in Athletics.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Later, Owens revealed something very interesting. In the Long Jump event, Owens was committing regular foul jumps and the threat of omission was looming. Luz Long, a German white, who himself was competing in the Long Jump, went over to Owens and gave him a technical tip. The tip was dead right; as Owens went on to win Gold Medal whereas Luz Long finished second. Long&rsquo;s goodwill gesture had cost him the Gold Medal. After the competition is over, Long strolled back to the dressing room arm-in-arm with Owens in front of Adolf Hitler. Long knew that this gesture would not go well with Nazis but it is the sportsman spirit, which prevailed.

&nbsp;

I remember how spectators during the opening ceremony of 1992 Barcelona Olympics were in tears when the unified Germany team came out for a parade. It was a historic moment and it was possible due to Germany&#39;s unification in 1990.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

When the relationship between India and Pakistan had spoiled badly after the 1965 and the 1971 wars, it was cricket which played a major role in smoothening things. After Cricket Control boards of both nations took initiative, India toured Pakistan in 1978 for a historical Test series after 17 years. Incidentally, it was debut series of the legendary Kapil Dev.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

If sports have been a great healer and reconciler, it has been one of the biggest sufferers of the political and diplomatic slugfest.

During the peak of Cold War, sports became a playground for supremacy. Egos of USA and USSR were clashing in the sports arena, turning it into a battleground. USSR with allies like GDR (better known as East Germany) was giving a tough fight to the USA (with West Germany) at Olympics. It was a matter of huge pride for them that who stood where in the medal tally.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The passion for competition reached a level when Boris Spassky from the USSR met Bobby Fisher of USA for the World Chess title at Reykjavik (Iceland) in 1972; both countries treated it as a pseudo war. It received unprecedented media attention across the world. It reached to such a level that, reportedly, the US National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger phoned reluctant Bobby Fischer from Washington and said &ldquo;America wants you to go over there and beat the Russians. Go to Iceland.&rdquo; It became a fight for pride for two superpowers. Fisher won and the whole US rejoiced as Chess was a game which Soviet had ruled till then.

&nbsp;

The animosity hurt sports festivals badly. The USSR hosted Olympic Games in 1980, which the USA and allied countries boycotted. Four years later, the USSR and allies settled the score by boycotting the 1984 Olympic Games held at Los Angles USA.

&nbsp;

Would wrap this discussion with mention of iconic Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson. Teofilo won Gold Medals in boxing in 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympics. Teofilo was eying his fourth Gold Medal in 1984 Olympics but Cuba boycotted the game. Teofilo started preparing for the 1988 Olympics. The 1988 Olympics was hosted by South Korea. North Korea boycotted the game. To show its solidarity with North Korea, Cuba boycotted the games. Teofilo broke. He gave up and took retirement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

This year&#39;s Winter Olympics has come as a great messenger of peace and reconciliation. In spite of whatever pain and damage politics and diplomacy have inflicted on sports and sportspersons, sports, as usual, is playing its part to bring harmony to this globe.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

After the 1971 war, Cricket Control boards of Pakistan and India took initiative, India toured Pakistan in 1978 for a historical Test series after 17 years. Incidentally, it was debut series of the legendary Kapil Dev.

Call it the effect of salvos between Trump and Kim Jong-un or maybe some good sense prevailed, as a welcome gesture, North and South Korea agreed on Wednesday to march their athletes together under one flag at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics next month and to field a joint women’s ice hockey team. Though it is a small event but a seminal one. It may certainly pave the path for a possible political reconciliation between these two nations. The event is significant for the world as it is the sign of ebbing madness of Kin Jong-un who appeared hell-bent to go for a skirmish with the USA and pushing the world to the danger of nuclear war. Sports and politics, diplomacy and animosity have been in a close relationship for decades, more of a love-hate relationship. Sports, by and large, have been great healer and reconciler. At times it has set the tone for a larger peace narrative. Remember, how in 1987 Pakistan’s premier Zia-ul-Haq flew to Jaipur to catch the action of India-Pakistan Test match after BCCI extended invitation to him. Zia claimed that his objective was to restore communication and release tension. Later that year, India and Pakistan jointly organised the ICC Cricket World Cup. Sports breaks the barrier, brings good sense, embarrasses flag bearers of hatred and serve as the epitome of great human values. In the 1936 Berlin Olympic, Hitler was determined to showcase Germany's might to the world. However, it was an American black athlete Jesse Owens who stole the show by winning four Gold Medals in Athletics. Later, Owens revealed something very interesting. In the Long Jump event, Owens was committing regular foul jumps and the threat of omission was looming. Luz Long, a German white, who himself was competing in the Long Jump, went over to Owens and gave him a technical tip. The tip was dead right; as Owens went on to win Gold Medal whereas Luz Long finished second. Long’s goodwill gesture had cost him the Gold Medal. After the competition is over, Long strolled back to the dressing room arm-in-arm with Owens in front of Adolf Hitler. Long knew that this gesture would not go well with Nazis but it is the sportsman spirit, which prevailed. I remember how spectators during the opening ceremony of 1992 Barcelona Olympics were in tears when the unified Germany team came out for a parade. It was a historic moment and it was possible due to Germany's unification in 1990. When the relationship between India and Pakistan had spoiled badly after the 1965 and the 1971 wars, it was cricket which played a major role in smoothening things. After Cricket Control boards of both nations took initiative, India toured Pakistan in 1978 for a historical Test series after 17 years. Incidentally, it was debut series of the legendary Kapil Dev. If sports have been a great healer and reconciler, it has been one of the biggest sufferers of the political and diplomatic slugfest. During the peak of Cold War, sports became a playground for supremacy. Egos of USA and USSR were clashing in the sports arena, turning it into a battleground. USSR with allies like GDR (better known as East Germany) was giving a tough fight to the USA (with West Germany) at Olympics. It was a matter of huge pride for them that who stood where in the medal tally. The passion for competition reached a level when Boris Spassky from the USSR met Bobby Fisher of USA for the World Chess title at Reykjavik (Iceland) in 1972; both countries treated it as a pseudo war. It received unprecedented media attention across the world. It reached to such a level that, reportedly, the US National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger phoned reluctant Bobby Fischer from Washington and said “America wants you to go over there and beat the Russians. Go to Iceland.” It became a fight for pride for two superpowers. Fisher won and the whole US rejoiced as Chess was a game which Soviet had ruled till then. The animosity hurt sports festivals badly. The USSR hosted Olympic Games in 1980, which the USA and allied countries boycotted. Four years later, the USSR and allies settled the score by boycotting the 1984 Olympic Games held at Los Angles USA. Would wrap this discussion with mention of iconic Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson. Teofilo won Gold Medals in boxing in 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympics. Teofilo was eying his fourth Gold Medal in 1984 Olympics but Cuba boycotted the game. Teofilo started preparing for the 1988 Olympics. The 1988 Olympics was hosted by South Korea. North Korea boycotted the game. To show its solidarity with North Korea, Cuba boycotted the games. Teofilo broke. He gave up and took retirement. This year's Winter Olympics has come as a great messenger of peace and reconciliation. In spite of whatever pain and damage politics and diplomacy have inflicted on sports and sportspersons, sports, as usual, is playing its part to bring harmony to this globe. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Enemies in war, friends in sports. Koreas are not the only one

North Korea will mark the foundation of its regular army on February 8, its state media said Tuesday -- which will be the day before the Winter Olympics open in the South.

Reports and officials say that Pyongyang could be preparing a military parade as a display of strength ahead of the sporting festival, which has triggered a rare rapprochement between the two halves of the divided peninsula.

In recent years Pyongyang has proclaimed April 25 as the establishment of its army, naming it as the day the country&#39;s founder Kim Il-Sung set up anti-Japanese guerrilla forces in 1932.

It will now mark the foundation on February 8, when Kim launched the Korean People&#39;s Army (KPA) regular armed forces in 1948, the ruling Workers&#39; Party announced.

Until 1978 the anniversary was marked on the February date, and the switch back gives Pyongyang a formal justification if it decides to go ahead with a parade next month, which will be the 70th anniversary of the regular military&#39;s establishment.

Satellite photos have shown troops and military vehicles rehearsing at an airfield near Pyongyang for an event.

A South Korean government official told the Yonhap news agency that they were increasing in numbers.

&quot;At Mirim airfield, 13,000 soldiers and some 200 vehicles were spotted preparing for the parade,&quot; the unidentified official was quoted as saying.

But Pyongyang is bitterly cold in February and the numbers are smaller than those involved in a giant spectacle last April to mark the 105th anniversary of Kim Il-Sung&#39;s birth, which showcased a range of weaponry including what appeared to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The government and other authorities will take &quot;practical steps to significantly mark&quot; the February 8 anniversary, which was &quot;a historic day&quot;, said the ruling party&#39;s Political Bureau, according to the North&#39;s state news agency KCNA.

April 25 will continue to be marked as the founding anniversary of the Korean People&#39;s Revolutionary Army, it added.

Under current leader Kim Jong-Un, Kim Il-Sung&#39;s grandson, Pyongyang last year rattled the international community with nuclear and missile tests.

But it has agreed to send athletes to the South&#39;s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics,&nbsp;march with the South under one flag at the opening ceremony and form an inter-Korean women&#39;s ice hockey team.

&nbsp;

Satellite photos have shown troops and military vehicles rehearsing at an airfield near Pyongyang for an event

North Korea will mark the foundation of its regular army on February 8, its state media said Tuesday -- which will be the day before the Winter Olympics open in the South. Reports and officials say that Pyongyang could be preparing a military parade as a display of strength ahead of the sporting festival, which has triggered a rare rapprochement between the two halves of the divided peninsula. In recent years Pyongyang has proclaimed April 25 as the establishment of its army, naming it as the day the country's founder Kim Il-Sung set up anti-Japanese guerrilla forces in 1932. It will now mark the foundation on February 8, when Kim launched the Korean People's Army (KPA) regular armed forces in 1948, the ruling Workers' Party announced. Until 1978 the anniversary was marked on the February date, and the switch back gives Pyongyang a formal justification if it decides to go ahead with a parade next month, which will be the 70th anniversary of the regular military's establishment. Satellite photos have shown troops and military vehicles rehearsing at an airfield near Pyongyang for an event. A South Korean government official told the Yonhap news agency that they were increasing in numbers. "At Mirim airfield, 13,000 soldiers and some 200 vehicles were spotted preparing for the parade," the unidentified official was quoted as saying. But Pyongyang is bitterly cold in February and the numbers are smaller than those involved in a giant spectacle last April to mark the 105th anniversary of Kim Il-Sung's birth, which showcased a range of weaponry including what appeared to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The government and other authorities will take "practical steps to significantly mark" the February 8 anniversary, which was "a historic day", said the ruling party's Political Bureau, according to the North's state news agency KCNA. April 25 will continue to be marked as the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, it added. Under current leader Kim Jong-Un, Kim Il-Sung's grandson, Pyongyang last year rattled the international community with nuclear and missile tests. But it has agreed to send athletes to the South's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, march with the South under one flag at the opening ceremony and form an inter-Korean women's ice hockey team.

North Korea says will celebrate military on eve of Olympics

Seoul`s presidential Blue House rejected criticism on Tuesday that next month`s Winter Games had been hijacked by North Korea, saying the event will help defuse tensions over Pyongyang`s nuclear and missile programmes.

Some opposition politicians and conservatives in South Korea have criticised North Korea`s participation in the Games to be held in the South Korean alpine resort town of Pyeongchang, dubbing them the &quot;Pyongyang Olympics&quot;.

&quot;Just one month ago, acute tensions gripped the Korean peninsula, but the administration`s efforts to tackle the crisis through dialogue has led to North Korea`s participation in the Olympics,&quot; Blue House spokesman Park Soo-hyun told a news conference.&nbsp;

&quot;We`re confident that the Olympics will be a stepping stone to bring peace to the Korean peninsula, to Northeast Asia and the world.&quot;

After a months-long standoff over the North`s nuclear and missile tests, the two Koreas agreed during their first formal talks in nearly two years that the South will help arrange the North to join in the Games.&nbsp;

Some specific plans, however, including fielding a joint women`s ice hockey team and marching under a united flag, have proven controversial, with conservatives and younger South Koreans upset that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is stealing the spotlight.

The administration of South Korea`s liberal president, Moon Jae-in, is under pressure over its offer to send athletes to a North Korean ski resort for joint training. Experts say the move risks giving Kim`s regime legitimacy and some much needed cash.

Seoul officials are on a three-day trip to the North starting Tuesday to inspect the resort`s facilities and the newly built Kalma Airport nearby that may be used to fly in the South Korean skiers, who are not expected to attend the Games.

Moon`s approval rating has fallen to a four-month low at 66 percent, a poll showed on Monday, due to a backlash over the decision regarding the combined hockey team.

Small but vocal groups of demonstrators staged a protest at Seoul`s central train station on Monday where a North Korean delegation had arrived, burning a picture of Kim. One sign at the protest read: &quot;We`re opposed to Kim Jong Un`s Pyongyang Olympics!&quot;.&nbsp;

North Korea`s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, which is in charge of inter-Korean affairs, called the picture-burning protest a &quot;shuddering, hideous crime&quot;, urging Seoul to apologise and punish those involved.&nbsp;

&quot;We will never tolerate hideous acts of the conservative hooligans who insulted the sacred dignity and symbol of the DPRK, and the dishonest behaviour of the South Korean authorities who connived at such acts&quot;, said a spokesman of the organisation via the official KCNA news agency on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The official was referring to North Korea by its full name, the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea.

&quot;We cannot but take a serious consideration of our follow-up measures regarding the Winter Olympics.&quot;&nbsp;

NEW ANNIVERSARY

Separately, North Korea announced on Tuesday it will mark Feb. 8 as a new anniversary for the founding of its military.

The anniversary, previously held on April 25 and marked with a large military parade, will now take place just one day before the Olympics begins.&nbsp;

The South Korean military said a detailed analysis is needed to understand the North`s intention behind the date change.&nbsp;

Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute south of Seoul, said the anniversary change may be an effort by Kim to distinguish himself from his father and grandfather, emboldened by last year`s progress on the nuclear and missile programmes.&nbsp;

&quot;He could also be seeking to steal the show from the South by holding a grand anniversary event just before the Olympics begin, and unveiling weapons like new intercontinental ballistic missiles&quot;, Cheong said.&nbsp;

Accusations arose that next month's Winter Games had been hijacked by North Korea

Seoul`s presidential Blue House rejected criticism on Tuesday that next month`s Winter Games had been hijacked by North Korea, saying the event will help defuse tensions over Pyongyang`s nuclear and missile programmes. Some opposition politicians and conservatives in South Korea have criticised North Korea`s participation in the Games to be held in the South Korean alpine resort town of Pyeongchang, dubbing them the "Pyongyang Olympics". "Just one month ago, acute tensions gripped the Korean peninsula, but the administration`s efforts to tackle the crisis through dialogue has led to North Korea`s participation in the Olympics," Blue House spokesman Park Soo-hyun told a news conference. "We`re confident that the Olympics will be a stepping stone to bring peace to the Korean peninsula, to Northeast Asia and the world." After a months-long standoff over the North`s nuclear and missile tests, the two Koreas agreed during their first formal talks in nearly two years that the South will help arrange the North to join in the Games. Some specific plans, however, including fielding a joint women`s ice hockey team and marching under a united flag, have proven controversial, with conservatives and younger South Koreans upset that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is stealing the spotlight. The administration of South Korea`s liberal president, Moon Jae-in, is under pressure over its offer to send athletes to a North Korean ski resort for joint training. Experts say the move risks giving Kim`s regime legitimacy and some much needed cash. Seoul officials are on a three-day trip to the North starting Tuesday to inspect the resort`s facilities and the newly built Kalma Airport nearby that may be used to fly in the South Korean skiers, who are not expected to attend the Games. Moon`s approval rating has fallen to a four-month low at 66 percent, a poll showed on Monday, due to a backlash over the decision regarding the combined hockey team. Small but vocal groups of demonstrators staged a protest at Seoul`s central train station on Monday where a North Korean delegation had arrived, burning a picture of Kim. One sign at the protest read: "We`re opposed to Kim Jong Un`s Pyongyang Olympics!". North Korea`s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, which is in charge of inter-Korean affairs, called the picture-burning protest a "shuddering, hideous crime", urging Seoul to apologise and punish those involved. "We will never tolerate hideous acts of the conservative hooligans who insulted the sacred dignity and symbol of the DPRK, and the dishonest behaviour of the South Korean authorities who connived at such acts", said a spokesman of the organisation via the official KCNA news agency on Tuesday. The official was referring to North Korea by its full name, the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea. "We cannot but take a serious consideration of our follow-up measures regarding the Winter Olympics." NEW ANNIVERSARY Separately, North Korea announced on Tuesday it will mark Feb. 8 as a new anniversary for the founding of its military. The anniversary, previously held on April 25 and marked with a large military parade, will now take place just one day before the Olympics begins. The South Korean military said a detailed analysis is needed to understand the North`s intention behind the date change. Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute south of Seoul, said the anniversary change may be an effort by Kim to distinguish himself from his father and grandfather, emboldened by last year`s progress on the nuclear and missile programmes. "He could also be seeking to steal the show from the South by holding a grand anniversary event just before the Olympics begin, and unveiling weapons like new intercontinental ballistic missiles", Cheong said.

South Korea government rejects 'Pyongyang Olympics' criticism

As the Winter Olympics <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/too-early-to-say-winter-olympics-will-have-any-traction-mattis-on-north-korea-32525">got underway in South Korea last week</a> with North Korean team walking jointly with their southern neighbours, South Korea said it will arrange more family reunions in the future.

&quot;The visit shows that North Korea has a strong will to improve inter-Korean relations and that Pyongyang can make unprecedented and bold measures if deemed necessary,&quot; Ministry of Unification said in a statement.

Kim Jong Un&#39;s younger sister Kim Yo Jong has been actively attending the winter games in Pyeongchang. Yo Jong attending the opening ceremony on Sunday sitting next to the wife of US vice-president Mike Pence.

&quot;Under a strong position for denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, Korea will faithfully implement the international sanctions on North Korea, while also adhering to the principle of resolution through peaceful means,&quot; the statement added.

Yo Jong and her delegation met with top South Korean government officials including president Moon as tensions between the two countries seem to ebb.

However, US defense secretary Jim Mattis said the recent Olympic bonhomie between the two countries did not mean peace will reign on the Korean peninsula.

&quot;Clearly it is too early to say... if that is going to have any traction once the Olympics are over,&quot; the US defense secretary said.

&quot;In the midst of all of this, he (Kim Jong Un) ran a military parade that highlighted his ballistic missiles,&quot; he added.

US defense secretary Jim Mattis said the recent Olympic bonhomie between the two countries did not mean peace will reign on the Korean peninsula.

As the Winter Olympics got underway in South Korea last week with North Korean team walking jointly with their southern neighbours, South Korea said it will arrange more family reunions in the future. "The visit shows that North Korea has a strong will to improve inter-Korean relations and that Pyongyang can make unprecedented and bold measures if deemed necessary," Ministry of Unification said in a statement. Kim Jong Un's younger sister Kim Yo Jong has been actively attending the winter games in Pyeongchang. Yo Jong attending the opening ceremony on Sunday sitting next to the wife of US vice-president Mike Pence. "Under a strong position for denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, Korea will faithfully implement the international sanctions on North Korea, while also adhering to the principle of resolution through peaceful means," the statement added. Yo Jong and her delegation met with top South Korean government officials including president Moon as tensions between the two countries seem to ebb. However, US defense secretary Jim Mattis said the recent Olympic bonhomie between the two countries did not mean peace will reign on the Korean peninsula. "Clearly it is too early to say... if that is going to have any traction once the Olympics are over," the US defense secretary said. "In the midst of all of this, he (Kim Jong Un) ran a military parade that highlighted his ballistic missiles," he added.

North Korea has strong will to improve inter-Korean relations: South Korea

Things couldn&#39;t get worse for figure skater Yura Min at the Winter Olympics after she suffered a wardrobe malfunction just seconds into her routine.&nbsp;

Min, an American citizen who trains at Novi Ice Arena, had a wardrobe malfunction on Sunday while competing in the figure skating team event for South Korea.

Dancing to the 2017-smash hit Luis Fonsi-Daddy Yankee song &#39;Despasito&#39;, the routine got off to a clean start, but things soon took a turn for the worse.

The 22-year-old wore a low-cut red top when she took to the ice earlier today. A clasp on her dress slipped just seconds into her pairs figure skating routine on Sunday.

Her&nbsp;red dress came off her shoulder as she started her routine with the world watching. She tried to laugh it off and tweeted about the incident: &quot;Despite the wardrobe malfunction, I had an amazing time competing in my home country! I promise to sew myself in for the individual event. ???? I would like to thank the audience for keeping us going until the end. Couldn&#39;t have done it without you guys ❤ #grateful&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Despite the wardrobe malfunction, I had an amazing time competing in my home country! I promise to sew myself in for the individual event. ???? I would like to thank the audience for keeping us going until the end. Couldn&#39;t have done it without you guys ❤ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/grateful?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#grateful</a> <a href="https://t.co/B8UuRNgRMu">pic.twitter.com/B8UuRNgRMu</a>
&mdash; Yura Min (민유라) (@Yuraxmin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yuraxmin/status/962586629306122240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Oopsie ???? <a href="https://t.co/KP2QlTisCW">pic.twitter.com/KP2QlTisCW</a>
&mdash; Yura Min (민유라) (@Yuraxmin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yuraxmin/status/962600082120962049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Yura was spun around by her partner Alexander Gamelin as they competed in the figure skating team event, although she was seen constantly trying to adjust her top.

It was the first Olympic event and the duo ended up with a score of&nbsp;51.97 points and finished in ninth place. She and Gamelin will compete together again in the individual pairs later this month.

The 22-year-old wore a low-cut red top when she took to the ice earlier today. A clasp on her dress slipped just seconds into her pairs figure skating routine on Sunday

Things couldn't get worse for figure skater Yura Min at the Winter Olympics after she suffered a wardrobe malfunction just seconds into her routine. Min, an American citizen who trains at Novi Ice Arena, had a wardrobe malfunction on Sunday while competing in the figure skating team event for South Korea. Dancing to the 2017-smash hit Luis Fonsi-Daddy Yankee song 'Despasito', the routine got off to a clean start, but things soon took a turn for the worse. The 22-year-old wore a low-cut red top when she took to the ice earlier today. A clasp on her dress slipped just seconds into her pairs figure skating routine on Sunday. Her red dress came off her shoulder as she started her routine with the world watching. She tried to laugh it off and tweeted about the incident: "Despite the wardrobe malfunction, I had an amazing time competing in my home country! I promise to sew myself in for the individual event. ???? I would like to thank the audience for keeping us going until the end. Couldn't have done it without you guys ❤ #grateful" Despite the wardrobe malfunction, I had an amazing time competing in my home country! I promise to sew myself in for the individual event. ???? I would like to thank the audience for keeping us going until the end. Couldn't have done it without you guys ❤ #grateful pic.twitter.com/B8UuRNgRMu — Yura Min (민유라) (@Yuraxmin) February 11, 2018 × Oopsie ???? pic.twitter.com/KP2QlTisCW — Yura Min (민유라) (@Yuraxmin) February 11, 2018 × Yura was spun around by her partner Alexander Gamelin as they competed in the figure skating team event, although she was seen constantly trying to adjust her top. It was the first Olympic event and the duo ended up with a score of 51.97 points and finished in ninth place. She and Gamelin will compete together again in the individual pairs later this month.

Pyeongchang 2018: South Korean figure skater suffers wardrobe malfunction on Olympic debut

Germany is leading the medal tally with 3 gold and 1 bronze. They grabbed two gold medals thanks to women&#39;s biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier and Andreas Wellinger pair of gold medals thanks to women&#39;s biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier and Andreas Wellinger.

But Norway and Netherlands bagged maximum medals and stands at number 1 and 2 respectively when it comes rank by total medals.

The Dutch vaulted up the medal leaderboard by sweeping the podium in the women&#39;s 3,000-meter speedskating competition while nabbing a silver in the men&#39;s short-track contest.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Highlights Day 2 ❤ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PyeongChang2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PyeongChang2018</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/8rXe57Uc47">pic.twitter.com/8rXe57Uc47</a>
&mdash; Olympics (@Olympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/962859516244115456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The United States is officially on the board thanks to 17-year-old Redmond Gerard&#39;s gold-medal finish in the men&#39;s slopestyle final at Phoenix Snow Park.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
11FEB Snowboard - Men&#39;s Slopestyle Final Results 
2/11 스노보드 - 남자 슬로프스타일 
 
Gold???? GERARD Redmond / USA???????? 
Silver???? PARROT Max / CAN???????? 
Bronze???? McMORRIS Mark / CAN???????? 
 
Congratulations! 축하합니다! <a href="https://t.co/6JlhDNG3aC">pic.twitter.com/6JlhDNG3aC</a>
&mdash; PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/pyeongchang2018/status/962516223228493826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

All eyes are on Russian athletes as they had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/doping-row-because-us-cant-beat-us-fairly-russia-fm-32533">faced doping criticism</a> ahead of 23rd Winter Games, they were even banned but the clean athletes were permitted to take part in the winter games.

The Olympic Athletes from Russia have won just one bronze medal but they are considered as one of the most challenging squads. Still, there is a long way to go let&#39;s see how Russia would come along after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/doping-row-because-us-cant-beat-us-fairly-russia-fm-32533">doping scandal</a>.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(1)-20180212040442.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Medal Tally till February 11. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The most controversial squad, Democratic People Republik of Korea (North Korea) has not even opened their account and South Korea has bagged just one bronze medal.

One of the key events, women ice hockey, where unified Korean team has participated faced a tragic defeat in the first match by Switzerland team.

&nbsp;

Till Sunday, Germany had grabbed 3 gold and 1 bronze medals and Norway won maximum medals; 1 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze

Germany is leading the medal tally with 3 gold and 1 bronze. They grabbed two gold medals thanks to women's biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier and Andreas Wellinger pair of gold medals thanks to women's biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier and Andreas Wellinger. But Norway and Netherlands bagged maximum medals and stands at number 1 and 2 respectively when it comes rank by total medals. The Dutch vaulted up the medal leaderboard by sweeping the podium in the women's 3,000-meter speedskating competition while nabbing a silver in the men's short-track contest. Highlights Day 2 ❤ #PyeongChang2018 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/8rXe57Uc47 — Olympics (@Olympics) February 12, 2018 × The United States is officially on the board thanks to 17-year-old Redmond Gerard's gold-medal finish in the men's slopestyle final at Phoenix Snow Park. 11FEB Snowboard - Men's Slopestyle Final Results 2/11 스노보드 - 남자 슬로프스타일 Gold???? GERARD Redmond / USA???????? Silver???? PARROT Max / CAN???????? Bronze???? McMORRIS Mark / CAN???????? Congratulations! 축하합니다! pic.twitter.com/6JlhDNG3aC — PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) February 11, 2018 × All eyes are on Russian athletes as they had faced doping criticism ahead of 23rd Winter Games, they were even banned but the clean athletes were permitted to take part in the winter games. The Olympic Athletes from Russia have won just one bronze medal but they are considered as one of the most challenging squads. Still, there is a long way to go let's see how Russia would come along after the doping scandal. Medal Tally till February 11. (Others) × The most controversial squad, Democratic People Republik of Korea (North Korea) has not even opened their account and South Korea has bagged just one bronze medal. One of the key events, women ice hockey, where unified Korean team has participated faced a tragic defeat in the first match by Switzerland team.

Germany, Norway lead medals tally in Winter Games

South Korean President Moon Jae-in sat next to the powerful sister of the North&#39;s leader Kim Jong Un at a concert in Seoul by musicians from Pyongyang, as conservative protesters burned the North&#39;s national flag outside Sunday.&nbsp;

The show was the final set-piece element of the North Korean delegation&#39;s landmark visit, the diplomatic highlight of the Olympics-driven rapprochement between the two halves of the peninsula, and they flew back home afterwards.

They have shared kimchi and soju with Moon, sat in the same box at the Olympics opening ceremony and cheered a unified women&#39;s ice hockey team together.

Kim on Saturday invited Moon to a summit in the North, an offer extended by his sister and special envoy Kim Yo Jong, who made history as the first member of the North&#39;s ruling dynasty to visit the South since the Korean War.

Moon did not immediately accept the invitation and has said he hopes the &quot;right conditions&quot; will be created so it can go ahead.

Pictures showed Yo Jong seated between Moon and the North&#39;s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, who is officially leading the North&#39;s delegation, and applauding at Sunday&#39;s concert.

The show by Pyongyang&#39;s Samjiyon Orchestra featured a surprise appearance by Seohyun, of top South Korean K-pop girlband Girls Generation. It was part of a cross-border deal in which the isolated nuclear-armed North sent hundreds of athletes, cheerleaders and others to the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South.&nbsp;

At an earlier dinner with senior Seoul officials, Yo Jong said she found the two Koreas still had much in common despite decades of separation.&nbsp;

Before flying south, she said, she had expected &quot;things would be very different and unfamiliar&quot;, according to a statement from Moon&#39;s office.&nbsp;

&quot;But it turned out that there were many things similar and in common,&quot; she went on. &quot;I hope that the day we become one will be brought forward.&quot;

But the rapprochement pushed by the dovish Moon has angered conservatives, who accuse him of being a North Korea sympathiser and undermining the security alliance with the US.&nbsp;

&quot;Having these red communists in the heart of Seoul is an utter humilation!&quot; one shouted near the venue as dozens of others waved banners condemning both Moon and Kim Jong Un.&nbsp;

&quot;We are against the ugly political Olympics!&quot; read one banner.

Some set a North Korean flag on fire before police intervened, and others chanted &quot;Let&#39;s tear Kim Jong Un to death!&quot; as they ripped up posters bearing his portrait.

The North&#39;s presence has dominated the headlines in the early days of the Olympics, with all eyes turning to Swiss-educated Kim Yo Jong, believed to be 30, who is among her brother&#39;s closest confidantes.

Political divide 
 
Sunday&#39;s 100-minute concert -- the orchestra&#39;s second and final show -- included about 40 songs, among them South Korean pop hits as well as North Korean and other world music.&nbsp;

Seoul&#39;s TV shows and K-pop songs are smuggled across the border with China and known to be popular among many North Koreans despite the risk of severe punishment. &nbsp;

At one point Hyon Song Wol, the leader of the North&#39;s popular Moranbong girlband, took the stage to perform a unification-themed song.

Public interest in the show was huge, with nearly 120,000 people applying for just 1,000 tickets.

Civilian contact is strictly banned between the two Koreas, which have been divided since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

Tensions soared last year as the North staged a series of nuclear and missile tests in violation of UN resolutions, while leader Kim and US President Donald Trump traded colourful insults and threats of war.

Moon has long sought engagement with the North to bring it to the negotiating table, and for months has promoted Pyeongchang as a &quot;peace Olympics&quot;.&nbsp;

But controversy over the North&#39;s participation -- particularly the formation of a unified women&#39;s ice hockey team, seen as unfairly denying Seoul&#39;s own citizens a chance to compete on the Olympic stage -- has hit his approval ratings.

Many older South Koreans on both sides of the political divide harbour a nostalgic longing for some form of reunification -- conservatives through the North&#39;s collapse, liberals through a more amicable arrangement.

But younger South Koreans have spent their adult lives in a culturally vibrant democracy regularly menaced and occasionally attacked by Pyongyang. They have far less interest in unification and fear its social and economic consequences.

A poll last year found almost 50 percent of over-60s believed the two Koreas can be reunified, while just 20.5 percent of those in their 20s agreed.

The show was the final set-piece element of the North Korean delegation's landmark visit, the diplomatic highlight of the Olympics-driven rapprochement between the two halves of the peninsula

South Korean President Moon Jae-in sat next to the powerful sister of the North's leader Kim Jong Un at a concert in Seoul by musicians from Pyongyang, as conservative protesters burned the North's national flag outside Sunday. The show was the final set-piece element of the North Korean delegation's landmark visit, the diplomatic highlight of the Olympics-driven rapprochement between the two halves of the peninsula, and they flew back home afterwards. They have shared kimchi and soju with Moon, sat in the same box at the Olympics opening ceremony and cheered a unified women's ice hockey team together. Kim on Saturday invited Moon to a summit in the North, an offer extended by his sister and special envoy Kim Yo Jong, who made history as the first member of the North's ruling dynasty to visit the South since the Korean War. Moon did not immediately accept the invitation and has said he hopes the "right conditions" will be created so it can go ahead. Pictures showed Yo Jong seated between Moon and the North's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, who is officially leading the North's delegation, and applauding at Sunday's concert. The show by Pyongyang's Samjiyon Orchestra featured a surprise appearance by Seohyun, of top South Korean K-pop girlband Girls Generation. It was part of a cross-border deal in which the isolated nuclear-armed North sent hundreds of athletes, cheerleaders and others to the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South. At an earlier dinner with senior Seoul officials, Yo Jong said she found the two Koreas still had much in common despite decades of separation. Before flying south, she said, she had expected "things would be very different and unfamiliar", according to a statement from Moon's office. "But it turned out that there were many things similar and in common," she went on. "I hope that the day we become one will be brought forward." But the rapprochement pushed by the dovish Moon has angered conservatives, who accuse him of being a North Korea sympathiser and undermining the security alliance with the US. "Having these red communists in the heart of Seoul is an utter humilation!" one shouted near the venue as dozens of others waved banners condemning both Moon and Kim Jong Un. "We are against the ugly political Olympics!" read one banner. Some set a North Korean flag on fire before police intervened, and others chanted "Let's tear Kim Jong Un to death!" as they ripped up posters bearing his portrait. The North's presence has dominated the headlines in the early days of the Olympics, with all eyes turning to Swiss-educated Kim Yo Jong, believed to be 30, who is among her brother's closest confidantes. Political divide Sunday's 100-minute concert -- the orchestra's second and final show -- included about 40 songs, among them South Korean pop hits as well as North Korean and other world music. Seoul's TV shows and K-pop songs are smuggled across the border with China and known to be popular among many North Koreans despite the risk of severe punishment. At one point Hyon Song Wol, the leader of the North's popular Moranbong girlband, took the stage to perform a unification-themed song. Public interest in the show was huge, with nearly 120,000 people applying for just 1,000 tickets. Civilian contact is strictly banned between the two Koreas, which have been divided since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice instead of a peace treaty. Tensions soared last year as the North staged a series of nuclear and missile tests in violation of UN resolutions, while leader Kim and US President Donald Trump traded colourful insults and threats of war. Moon has long sought engagement with the North to bring it to the negotiating table, and for months has promoted Pyeongchang as a "peace Olympics". But controversy over the North's participation -- particularly the formation of a unified women's ice hockey team, seen as unfairly denying Seoul's own citizens a chance to compete on the Olympic stage -- has hit his approval ratings. Many older South Koreans on both sides of the political divide harbour a nostalgic longing for some form of reunification -- conservatives through the North's collapse, liberals through a more amicable arrangement. But younger South Koreans have spent their adult lives in a culturally vibrant democracy regularly menaced and occasionally attacked by Pyongyang. They have far less interest in unification and fear its social and economic consequences. A poll last year found almost 50 percent of over-60s believed the two Koreas can be reunified, while just 20.5 percent of those in their 20s agreed.

South Korea's Moon watches concert with Kim Jong Un's sister

The Winter Olympics sparked to life in a vivid, colourful ceremony of fire and ice in South Korea on Friday, though the diplomacy was tougher to choreograph in the stadium where leaders from nations that are sworn enemies sat close together.

South Korea, which is using the Pyeongchang Games to break the ice with North Korea, seated its presidential couple alongside US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, with two of the North&#39;s most senior officials sitting in the row behind.

President Moon Jae-in, who wants to harness the Olympic spirit to pave the way for talks over the North&#39;s weapons programme, warmly shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s smiling sister as well as the North&#39;s nominal head of state.

The South is still technically at war with the North after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, and the United States and North Korea have recently swapped nuclear threats. Pence vowed only this week to tighten sanctions on the North.

Underlining Moon&#39;s efforts to re-engage with the North, the opening ceremony followed the story line of children wandering through a mythical landscape and discovering a world where people live in peace and harmony.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach told the crowd that by allowing their athletes to march together under one flag at the ceremony, North and South Korea had shown sport&#39;s &quot;unique power&quot; to unite people.

&quot;All the athletes around me, all the spectators here in the stadium, and all Olympic fans watching around the world ... we are all touched by this wonderful gesture,&quot; he said.

The Olympics have provided some respite from years of tense relations between Seoul and Pyongyang, though just hours before the ceremony hundreds of anti-North Korean protesters scuffled with riot police outside the stadium, burning North Korean flags and pictures of its leader, Kim Jong Un.

South Korea&#39;s frigid February, where temperatures have plummeted to minus 20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) at night, has come as a shock to the system for athletes and visitors alike in the leadup to these Games, prompting concerns about hypothermia at the opening ceremony.

The weather was a little milder than feared on Friday, but spectators still huddled near heaters, holding hot packs and slurping down steaming fishcake soup to ward off the chills.

Bundled up in a scarf, mask and knitted hat, with hot packs tucked into her knee blanket, office worker Shin Hye-sook said she and her three colleagues were coping with the cold.

&quot;We&#39;re sitting as close as we can and trying not to move a lot to save our energy,&quot; said the 60-year-old.

Long wait finally over

Pyeongchang has waited a long time for this moment.

The alpine town first bid for the 2010 Games but narrowly lost out to Vancouver, and suffered similar heartbreak when it was beaten to the 2014 Olympics by Sochi.

After announcing its arrival on the international stage by hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics, South Korea now wants to show the world just how far it has come over the last 30 years with a Games showcasing its culture and technological prowess.

According to Olympic tradition, the Greek contingent headed the parade of athletes into the open-air stadium, followed by the other delegations in order according to the Korean alphabet.

Pence stood to welcome the U.S. athletes as the Korean pop hit Gangnam Style blared around the stadium, sparking the &#39;Horse Dance&#39; in the crowd and among the volunteers.

The moment failed to elicit even a smile from the two senior North Korean officials in the VIPs box, however, as they sat stony-faced in black fluffy hats and long coats.

Elsewhere in the stadium, a Kim Jong Un impersonator was not made as welcome as the North Koreans in the VIP box and was ejected by security. &quot;Well is my sister getting the same treatment?&quot; he demanded to know.

As the athletes made their way around the track, one of the biggest cheers was reserved for muscle-bound Tongan Pita Taufatofua, who repeated his famed Rio Games entrance by marching in shirtless, oiled up and wearing a traditional skirt -- this time in sub-zero temperatures.

Later, the crowd erupted as athletes from North and South Korea marched together under the unification flag for the first time at an Olympics since 2006.

&quot;It was incredible,&quot; spectator Eim Young-joo said.

North Korean cheerleaders greeted the athletes by waving a controversial version of the flag depicting disputed islands known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese.

Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Norio Maruyama said he had not seen the flag so he did not want to comment.

As the ceremony neared an end, the Olympic flame was carried by a succession of Korean sporting heroes including 2016 Rio Games golf champion Park In-bee and soccer player Ahn Jung-hwan, who scored the winning goal against Italy at the 2002 World Cup.

It finally found its way to figure skating star Kim Yuna, who won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games and silver in Sochi four years later.

Kim, who travelled the world as a Games ambassador in the run-up to Pyeongchang, performed a short skating routine before sending flames shooting up to light the cauldron.

The Winter Olympics sparked to life in a vivid, colourful ceremony of fire and ice in South Korea on Friday

The Winter Olympics sparked to life in a vivid, colourful ceremony of fire and ice in South Korea on Friday, though the diplomacy was tougher to choreograph in the stadium where leaders from nations that are sworn enemies sat close together. South Korea, which is using the Pyeongchang Games to break the ice with North Korea, seated its presidential couple alongside US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, with two of the North's most senior officials sitting in the row behind. President Moon Jae-in, who wants to harness the Olympic spirit to pave the way for talks over the North's weapons programme, warmly shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's smiling sister as well as the North's nominal head of state. The South is still technically at war with the North after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, and the United States and North Korea have recently swapped nuclear threats. Pence vowed only this week to tighten sanctions on the North. Underlining Moon's efforts to re-engage with the North, the opening ceremony followed the story line of children wandering through a mythical landscape and discovering a world where people live in peace and harmony. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach told the crowd that by allowing their athletes to march together under one flag at the ceremony, North and South Korea had shown sport's "unique power" to unite people. "All the athletes around me, all the spectators here in the stadium, and all Olympic fans watching around the world ... we are all touched by this wonderful gesture," he said. The Olympics have provided some respite from years of tense relations between Seoul and Pyongyang, though just hours before the ceremony hundreds of anti-North Korean protesters scuffled with riot police outside the stadium, burning North Korean flags and pictures of its leader, Kim Jong Un. South Korea's frigid February, where temperatures have plummeted to minus 20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) at night, has come as a shock to the system for athletes and visitors alike in the leadup to these Games, prompting concerns about hypothermia at the opening ceremony. The weather was a little milder than feared on Friday, but spectators still huddled near heaters, holding hot packs and slurping down steaming fishcake soup to ward off the chills. Bundled up in a scarf, mask and knitted hat, with hot packs tucked into her knee blanket, office worker Shin Hye-sook said she and her three colleagues were coping with the cold. "We're sitting as close as we can and trying not to move a lot to save our energy," said the 60-year-old. Long wait finally over Pyeongchang has waited a long time for this moment. The alpine town first bid for the 2010 Games but narrowly lost out to Vancouver, and suffered similar heartbreak when it was beaten to the 2014 Olympics by Sochi. After announcing its arrival on the international stage by hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics, South Korea now wants to show the world just how far it has come over the last 30 years with a Games showcasing its culture and technological prowess. According to Olympic tradition, the Greek contingent headed the parade of athletes into the open-air stadium, followed by the other delegations in order according to the Korean alphabet. Pence stood to welcome the U.S. athletes as the Korean pop hit Gangnam Style blared around the stadium, sparking the 'Horse Dance' in the crowd and among the volunteers. The moment failed to elicit even a smile from the two senior North Korean officials in the VIPs box, however, as they sat stony-faced in black fluffy hats and long coats. Elsewhere in the stadium, a Kim Jong Un impersonator was not made as welcome as the North Koreans in the VIP box and was ejected by security. "Well is my sister getting the same treatment?" he demanded to know. As the athletes made their way around the track, one of the biggest cheers was reserved for muscle-bound Tongan Pita Taufatofua, who repeated his famed Rio Games entrance by marching in shirtless, oiled up and wearing a traditional skirt -- this time in sub-zero temperatures. Later, the crowd erupted as athletes from North and South Korea marched together under the unification flag for the first time at an Olympics since 2006. "It was incredible," spectator Eim Young-joo said. North Korean cheerleaders greeted the athletes by waving a controversial version of the flag depicting disputed islands known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese. Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Norio Maruyama said he had not seen the flag so he did not want to comment. As the ceremony neared an end, the Olympic flame was carried by a succession of Korean sporting heroes including 2016 Rio Games golf champion Park In-bee and soccer player Ahn Jung-hwan, who scored the winning goal against Italy at the 2002 World Cup. It finally found its way to figure skating star Kim Yuna, who won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games and silver in Sochi four years later. Kim, who travelled the world as a Games ambassador in the run-up to Pyeongchang, performed a short skating routine before sending flames shooting up to light the cauldron.

Olympics: Awkward diplomacy on show as 'peace' Games begin

Indian luger Shiva Keshavan has made his final appearance at the 23rd Winter Games as his Olympic journey comes to an end at the Pyeongchang Games this weekend with a familiar lament about the country&#39;s winter sports apathy.

He will compete in his sixth consecutive Games at the Olympic Sliding Centre.

India&#39;s flag bearer at Winter Olympics shared his view exclusively to WION.

&quot;We have made only marginal steps forward as far as Winter Sports are concerned. It&#39;s little unfortunate because the talent is there but you have to invest in the talent because it&#39;s a very competitive field internationally.&quot;

&quot;Sports is lots more than just a competition. It has a big role in society diplomacy and even in ideals and principles. Koreas marching together is a huge step towards diplomacy.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/opening%207-20180210120737.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Luger Shiva Keshavan carries India&#39;s flag at the opening ceremony of 23rd Winter Games. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

There will be few compatriots to wish him well in the preliminary runs on Saturday, with cross-country skier Jagdish Singh the only other athlete to qualify from the country of 1.25 billion.

He was the nation&#39;s sole athlete at the 1998 and 2002 Games and has never had more than a handful of teammates since.

Four years ago at Sochi, he was unable to compete under his country&#39;s flag due to an IOC ban of the Indian Olympic Association for electing corruption-tainted officials.

The ban was lifted during the Games after the Association held another election but not until after Keshavan&#39;s event.

&quot;It&#39;s hard to give up the sports lifestyle and the Olympic movement, I love it and what it stands for,&quot; he said on Friday.

&quot;But I&#39;m sure I&#39;ll stay involved in the sport because I want to build it up in India now and focus on that.&quot;

Keshavan will carry India&#39;s flag for the fifth time in the opening ceremony.

&quot;It&#39;s part of the bigger problem, let&#39;s say, for sports, and especially winter sports, in India, and it&#39;s why I think it&#39;s time for me to take a step back as an athlete and go and give a much-needed push, because there is no reason why we should not be having a big team and not doing well,&quot; said Keshavan.

Since debuting at the 1964 Games, India has never come close to claiming a Winter Games medal and are unlikely to break the drought in Pyeongchang.

&quot;We have the natural resources, we&#39;re not a poor country, we have a big enough talent pool and there&#39;s a lot of passion as well but something is missing,&quot; Keshavan added.

&quot;We don&#39;t have the culture or the tradition of winter sports so I think I can fill in that role a little bit.&quot;

&nbsp;

Luger Shiva Keshavan carried the Indian flag for the 5th time at 23rd Winter Games, watch his exclusive interview with WION

Indian luger Shiva Keshavan has made his final appearance at the 23rd Winter Games as his Olympic journey comes to an end at the Pyeongchang Games this weekend with a familiar lament about the country's winter sports apathy. He will compete in his sixth consecutive Games at the Olympic Sliding Centre. India's flag bearer at Winter Olympics shared his view exclusively to WION. "We have made only marginal steps forward as far as Winter Sports are concerned. It's little unfortunate because the talent is there but you have to invest in the talent because it's a very competitive field internationally." "Sports is lots more than just a competition. It has a big role in society diplomacy and even in ideals and principles. Koreas marching together is a huge step towards diplomacy." Luger Shiva Keshavan carries India's flag at the opening ceremony of 23rd Winter Games. (Reuters) × There will be few compatriots to wish him well in the preliminary runs on Saturday, with cross-country skier Jagdish Singh the only other athlete to qualify from the country of 1.25 billion. He was the nation's sole athlete at the 1998 and 2002 Games and has never had more than a handful of teammates since. Four years ago at Sochi, he was unable to compete under his country's flag due to an IOC ban of the Indian Olympic Association for electing corruption-tainted officials. The ban was lifted during the Games after the Association held another election but not until after Keshavan's event. "It's hard to give up the sports lifestyle and the Olympic movement, I love it and what it stands for," he said on Friday. "But I'm sure I'll stay involved in the sport because I want to build it up in India now and focus on that." Keshavan will carry India's flag for the fifth time in the opening ceremony. "It's part of the bigger problem, let's say, for sports, and especially winter sports, in India, and it's why I think it's time for me to take a step back as an athlete and go and give a much-needed push, because there is no reason why we should not be having a big team and not doing well," said Keshavan. Since debuting at the 1964 Games, India has never come close to claiming a Winter Games medal and are unlikely to break the drought in Pyeongchang. "We have the natural resources, we're not a poor country, we have a big enough talent pool and there's a lot of passion as well but something is missing," Keshavan added. "We don't have the culture or the tradition of winter sports so I think I can fill in that role a little bit."

Watch: Shiva Keshavan marks last appearance at Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics got underway on Friday and the first gold has been decided.

Sweden&#39;s Charlotte Kalla claimed the first gold of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Kalla won the women&#39;s skiathlon cross country race ahead of Norway&#39;s Marit Bjoergen, preventing her from collecting an unprecedented third straight gold medal in the event.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
10FEB Cross-Country Skiing Ladies&#39; 7.5km + 7.5km Skiathlon 
101 크로스컨트리 스키 &ndash; 여자 7.5km + 7.5km 스키애슬론 
 
Gold???? KALLA Charlotte / SWE ???????? 
Silver???? BJOERGEN Marit / NOR???????? 
Bronze???? PARMAKOSKI Krista / FIN???????? 
 
Congratulations!축하합니다!???? <a href="https://t.co/SLA4NLuEmx">pic.twitter.com/SLA4NLuEmx</a>
&mdash; PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/pyeongchang2018/status/962239601493475330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

But Bjoergen still became the most decorated woman in Winter Olympics history as she claimed her 11th medal. Third came Finland&#39;s Krista Parmakoski.&nbsp;

Gold medals will also be decided Saturday in speed skating, short-track speed skating, ski jumping and biathlon.

&nbsp;

Charlotte Kalla won the women's skiathlon cross country race ahead of Norway's Marit Bjoergen

The Winter Olympics got underway on Friday and the first gold has been decided. Sweden's Charlotte Kalla claimed the first gold of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Kalla won the women's skiathlon cross country race ahead of Norway's Marit Bjoergen, preventing her from collecting an unprecedented third straight gold medal in the event. 10FEB Cross-Country Skiing Ladies' 7.5km + 7.5km Skiathlon 101 크로스컨트리 스키 – 여자 7.5km + 7.5km 스키애슬론 Gold???? KALLA Charlotte / SWE ???????? Silver???? BJOERGEN Marit / NOR???????? Bronze???? PARMAKOSKI Krista / FIN???????? Congratulations!축하합니다!???? pic.twitter.com/SLA4NLuEmx — PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) February 10, 2018 × But Bjoergen still became the most decorated woman in Winter Olympics history as she claimed her 11th medal. Third came Finland's Krista Parmakoski. Gold medals will also be decided Saturday in speed skating, short-track speed skating, ski jumping and biathlon.

Sweden's Kalla Charlotte wins first gold medal of Winter Olympics

south-korea

South Korea, News on South Korea, stories on South Korea, articles on South Korea, South Korea stories at Wion, South Korea news, South Korea latest news

south korea