“I will hold back my tears and hug you”
“We must respect each other and learn from each other” by meeting dreamers as IOC role model athletes.
Nao Kodaira, gold medalist in the women's 500m speed skating at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, is taking a commemorative photo at the Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium on the 21st.
“If there are no opposing players, the game cannot be held. “I hope we can respect each other and learn good things from each other.” 카지노사이트
Nao Kodaira (38, Japan) made this request to the athletes participating in the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics. Kodaira met with reporters at the Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium on the 21st. This is where Kodaira won the gold medal in the women's 500m speed skating event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. She was selected by Kodaira as one of 26 'role model athletes' selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of this event, and she visited this stadium for the first time since the Pyeongchang Olympics.
During her Pyeongchang Games, she set a new Olympic record for her, finishing in 36.940 seconds. Japanese fans in the stands cheered, but she asked Kodaira to 'be quiet' by putting her index finger to her mouth. She was considerate so that the next runner, Lee Sang-hwa (35), could focus on her game. Even when Lee Sang-hwa, who announced her retirement as a player and was trying to win her third consecutive Olympic title, shed tears after finishing in second place (37.330 seconds), Kodaira was the first to approach and hug her. The sight of Kodaira and Lee Sang-hwa walking around the track arm in arm remains a famous scene representing the Pyeongchang Olympics.
Kodaira said, “When I think of that time, my heart still races. If I see Lee Sang-hwa again, I will hold back my tears and hug him.” Kodaira is scheduled to reunite with Lee Sang-hwa here on the 22nd, the first day of the speed skating competition at this Winter Youth Olympics. Lee Sang-hwa serves as co-chairman of the organizing committee for this event.
Kodaira said, “I am having a meaningful time receiving energy that I have never felt before from the young athletes (participating in this competition),” and added, “I am grateful that the Pyeongchang Olympic facilities are not abandoned but are being used for the young athletes. Some of the volunteers I saw during the Pyeongchang Olympics are still here. “I was happy to talk about old times,” he said with a laugh.
Kodaira, who took off his skates in 2022, is working as an employee at Aizawa Hospital, which supported his playing career. 토토사이트