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The Olympics have always been one of the most notorious as well as diverse athletic events. Including some of the best sportsmen globally, these athletes come to compete in their sport, in hopes of either beating one of their personal records or standing on the podium representing their country. Currently, the 2018 Winter Olympics are coming to an end, and are being hosted by South Korea, in the city of PyeongChang. 2,952 athletes are participating in more than 102 events. Despite the many countries that are participating in the Korean games, three of these that have been put in the spotlight are the Russian Federation as well as South Korea and North Korea, for two very different reasons.
Among the 92 nations participating in the Winter Olympics this year, one that has been receiving the most controversy is the Russian Federation. Russia has always been a big competitor in the winter games, and are especially known for their role in figure skating as well as ice dancing. 4 years ago, the Russians hosted the winter games in Sochi. As the largest country in the world, as well as the amount of pride they have for their talents, it was bound to be a very large deal for the nation. The country invested around 50 billion dollars in hosting the Olympic Games, which included constructing all the venues, ensuring that the Olympic village was intact, as well as funding the rest of the necessities that were required to make the Olympic Games extravagant. With this being said, Russia completed the Olympic Games with a total of 29 medals out of which 11 of them were gold.
In December 2017, Russia was caught for doping in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Doping is considered to be when an athlete consumes steroids, as well as drugs that induce their performance when competing. Although every athlete during the span of the Olympics is tested for showing positive for drugs in their system, there are some athletes that plan the consumption of these steroids, based on when they think they are going to get tested. Through urine and blood samples, it was clear that the Russian athletes were taking drugs in order to enhance their performance, which is part of the reason why they won so many golds. The athletes who were under the influence while competing, had their medals taken away from them as a penalty. More so, the country faced many consequences, one of which was not being able to participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. This was due to the fact that the consumption of these drugs was a state sponsored act. With a variety of appeals, and hopes for competing, the verdict was as follows: Russians who were not part of the doping act, were able to compete as individual athletes. More so, they were not allowed to carry the Russian flag, and their title was OAR (Olympic Athlete from Russia). The Russians were also forced to only wear gray, and in essences were not able to represent their country in any way. As an athlete, this is something immensely hard to deal with. These athletes have been working towards the Olympics for their entire life, and to be going however not representing their country is disappointing.
Other countries that were also in the spotlight these Olympic Games were both North Korea and South Korea. For the last 50 years, these countries have been divided and tension between both of their political leaders has sky rocketed. During the opening ceremony, the athletes from both North and South Korea walked around the arena together, as well as under one unified flag. This historic moment brought tears to many, and was also very unexpected. Although it brought a large amount of controversy among people, it was a symbol of the intentions of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games aim is to bring diversity among a large group of people and bring this diversity together. With so many cultures, talents, hobbies and personalities, the Olympic Games is truly about peace and unifying the world as one. Part of the reason as to why the symbol of both Korean nations coming together was so iconic, was mainly because it put in perspective the idea that the Olympics are truly able to heal relationships between nations.
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games have by far been one of the most controversial games yet! Although these controversial events have made headlines around the globe, they don’t take away from the enjoyment from the games at all. Russian fans are still supporting their participating athletes, by holding the flag and rooting them on, while Koreans are looking for peace and hoping that what occurred at the opening ceremony is able to bring some communication between both nations, and eventually resolve the political tensions. Despite what was mentioned above, the Olympic Games have been quite intense thus far. With many sad, happy, and stressful moments, the athletes are pushing through and hoping for an Olympic win!
Stay updated on the current leads as well as Olympic games by going to the following website: https://www.olympic.org/.
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