The PyeongChang Games saw more athletes this year than at any other Winter Games. From the gold medalist through to every single competitor, they all showed the true meaning of the Olympic spirit.

By Jung Joo-ri and Yoon Sojung
Photos = Yonhap News

A Moment of Olympic Spirit

Korea’s Lee Sang-Hwa (left) and Nao Kodaira of Japan wave to the crowds after finishing the women's 500 m speed skating final at the Gangneung Speed Skating Centre on Feb. 18. The two embraced and comforted each other after the race, capturing media attention around the globe for showing true sportsmanship.

‘My entire life is the Olympics!’

Kim Hyunki of Korea flies high during the ski jump men’s team qualification events at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre on Feb. 16. The Korean team ranked at the bottom among the participating countries. However, Kim, a sixth time Olympian, and his teammates vowed to face their next Olympics challenge.

‘Making history in African bobsleigh’

Seun Adigun (front) and Ngozi Onwumere of Nigeria start their race on Feb. 21 during the women's bobsleigh heats at the Olympic Sliding Centre in PyeongChang. As the first-ever African bobsleigh team, they received a lot of media attention.

‘Yes, I’m back!’

David Wise of the U.S. competes during then men's ski halfpipe freestyle skiing final at the Phoenix Snow Park on Feb. 22. Wise was the gold medalist in Sochi, but he collapsed three times with a concussion. However, he did make a return by winning gold in the PyeongChang Games.

Good bye, Queen of Skiing

The "Queen of Skiing" Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. sprints down the slope during the women’s alpine skiing downhill final on Feb. 21 in Jeongseon. Vonn has been ranked No. 1 in the world and considered one of the top athletes who would win gold in the 2018 Winter Olympics. After winning a bronze in the event, she shed tears, saying that, “Of course, I’d have loved a gold medal, but, honestly, this is amazing and I’m so proud.”

Most Winter Olympic medals, ever

Marit Bjorgen of Norway celebrates after winning the women’s 30 km mass start classic final at the Alpensia Cross Country Centre on Feb. 25. Winning a total of five medals in Pyeongchang alone, including two golds, Bjorgen has now broken the existing record for most medals formerly held by Ole Einar Bjorndalen, biathlete from Norway, as she now has a total of 15 medals.

Birth of a new skeleton champion

Korea’s 'Iron Man,' Yun Sungbin, starts his race in the men’s skeleton competition at the Alpensia Olympic Sliding Centre on Feb. 16. As the first Asian Olympic skeleton champion, Yun said that he will continue to work hard to perform well in the future.

Snowboard prodigy

The 17-year-old Korean-American Chloe Kim showcases her winning performance during the women’s halfpipe finals at the Phoenix Snow Park on Feb. 13. Kim became the youngest gold medalist in the history of women’s half pipe.

A surprise gold

Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic (center) poses for a photo with her rivals after the women's alpine skiing super G event in the Jeongseon Alpine Centre on Feb. 17. Being originally a snowboarder, Ledecka won a surprise gold in alpine skiing. She secured another gold in the women's parallel giant slalom event on Feb. 24.

First medal in 30 years

Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein celebrates after winning a bronze medal in the women's super G race at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre on Feb. 17. It is the first medal for her country in 30 years, since Paul Frommelt won a bronze medal in Calgary in 1988.

etoilejr@korea.kr