Nao Kodaira: Different cultures add fun to the sport

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Japan's Nao Kodaira set an Olympic record with a time of 36.94 to clinch the gold medal in women's 500 meters speed skating in PyeongChang on Sunday. Two-time defending champion Lee Sang-hwa won a silver medal with 37.33 seconds for South Korea, 0.01 second faster than Czech's Karolina Erbanova.

But for the athletes, there is one thing that matters much more than claiming the title – the friendship established between Nao Kodaira and two-time defending Olympic champion, South Korea's Lee Sang-hwa.

(L-R) Silver medalist Lee Sang-hwa of Korea and gold medalist Nao Kodaira of Japan celebrate after the Ladies' 500m Individual Speed Skating Final. /VCG Photo

The gold medalist talked about her relationship with Lee. "Since I started skating at international events, I have maintained a good relationship with her," said Nao Kodaira. "I've learnt so many things from her. "

"When I was depressed, and she was champion, she would come to my side and cry with me," added the Olympian. "I gained strength from her, and she taught me how to overcome fear. I think she is such a good person and I really want to thank her for everything."

According to Kodaira, sports is an international language and the friendship with rivals gives the world understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

As she said: "I think the spirit of the sport touches so many people during the competition with athletes from other countries, Of course the competition itself is important, but understanding different cultures and languages can add more fun to the sport."

Japan's Miyako Sumiyoshi waves after the women's 500 meters speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. /VCG Photo

Kodaira's former teammate Miyako Sumiyoshi was not selected for Japan's PyeongChang Olympic team and was found dead in her apartment last month. Kodaira cherished memories of her good friend.

"Honestly, I am sorry. I think of her often. I tried not to think about her, and despite her appearance in my mind, as a captain, I thought I should focus on the race. I am not sure if I should say this, but when Sumiyoshi was still alive one of the people related to her said, 'If Nao wins a gold medal, consider it as if I won it'", Kodaira said.

"I was very happy to hear that before the Olympics and grateful as well. And I am very happy to win the gold medal actually. I wanted to deliver the news of winning myself, but it's sad that didn't happen," the athlete added.

Japanese speed skater Hiroyasu Shimizu carries his country’s flag after winning the gold medal in the men's 500m at M-Wave during the 1998 Winter Olympics. /VCG Photo

Kodaira first dreamt of competing at the Olympics as a young girl at 11 when Hiroyasu Shimizu won the men's 500 meters at Japan's Nagano Olympics in 1998. This ambition was reflected when Kodaira described herself in three words: "passion, dream maker, sincerity."