Sports
16:47, 22-Feb-2018
Unified Korean hockey team enjoyed their time together
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Combining the women's ice hockey teams from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics has been a big focus of the event.
Not because they won a medal - in fact they didn’t win a single game - but they gave people a reason to cheer. With the Games now drawing to a close, the unified team has had some time to reflect.
“We talk about what a special experience it was on both sides, we could never predict that our team would be here together," the Unified Korean Ice Hockey Team coach said in a press conference.
The Unified Korean Ice Hockey Team Coach Sarah Murray in training. /VCG Photo
The Unified Korean Ice Hockey Team Coach Sarah Murray in training. /VCG Photo
None of the DPRK players were available for the press conference but, by all accounts, their experience was life changing.
“This experience has been very memorable,” said an Unified Korean Ice Hockey Team player.
In the team’s first full day together away from the ice, they spent some time on the beach and feasted on Korean BBQ.
Three weeks ago, none of these players had met anyone from the DPRK - now they will record it in the history books. With the games done, diplomacy and politics will take their place. There is a lot at stake, and yet sometimes it’s the simplest of things that makes the biggest impressions.