[Olympics] Lee Sang-hwa sheds tears over Kodaira's slump... Japanese media: "Friendship knows no borders"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, as Japanese speed skater Kodaira Nao delivered a disappointing performance, Lee Sanghwa, a former representative of Korean speed skating and a KBS commentator, shed tears during the commentary. Japanese media applauded their friendship, saying "Friendship knows no borders."

Japan's largest daily, Yomiuri Shimbun, highlighted the friendship between the two athletes in an article titled "Moved by Lee Sanghwa's Tears... Friendship Knows No Borders" on the 14th. Other Japanese media also reported that Lee encouraged Kodaira during the commentary, saying, "Don't give up, keep trying."

Kodaira, the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics gold medalist, finished 17th in the women's 500m speed skating event held the previous day at the Beijing Winter Olympics in China. Watching the race, Lee said tearfully, "I thought she could bear the heavy weight of the crown, but the psychological pressure seemed really intense."

After the race, Kodaira said, "Sanghwa sent me a message before the competition, which gave me strength. She told me several times that Nao Kodaira can do it," adding, "It didn't go as well as when Sanghwa won back-to-back titles."

The friendship between commentator Lee and Kodaira gained significant attention at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. When Kodaira, who finished first, approached Lee, who crossed the finish line second and was in tears, to hug and comfort her, it became one of the memorable scenes of the Pyeongchang Olympics.

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