North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, claps next to Kim Yong Nam during a Korean women's ice hockey preliminary round match against Switzerland in Gangneung, South Korea on February 10, 2018. (Reuters)
The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics (South Korea) has its fair share of “scenarios” as in previous Winter Olympics.
Here are a few “generic” examples.
The North Korean entrance into the Winter Olympics with the fan fare of the Manchester Ferris Wheel against a typical dreary English day saw political stunts by the dozen.
First there was signing of the Korean's (North and South) mutual Olympic sport pact filmed every which way by the world's media as if this was some kind of post Nuremberg celebration. There were the parents of the young American who died after being handed back by the North Koreans. There were the very pretty North Korean hand maidens specifically selected for spectator duties and hauled back to tent city without touching anything 'West'.
And the woeful performances of the North Korean athletes at true international competition. What an embarrassment to any one eyed well wisher. All this did was to illustrate the North Korean's shambolic propaganda, something we all knew in any case. But the shows-casing had to go on - and it did.
Second, there have been at least two wardrobe malfunctions. The latest was yesterday with the French pair who went skating all over the rink with brilliance and recognisable skills – until that was - when the catch of the young lass at the back of her outfit did a squeezer and came unstuck (as it were). The poor lass found herself popping out (as the French put it so liberally) and her skills to be admired by one and all to keep it covered - was worthy of top points. That is if anyone was left watching the artistic endeavours.
Third, 33 year old Australian David Morris the Silver Medallist four years ago, in the men's aerials landed safely after a terrific skilled artisan performance only to be pipped by the judges who thought another who lost control after landing and crashed into the snow was even better!
Of the five judges, the Chinese judge gave the Australian his lowest or equal lowest mark in each of the three categories – air, form and landing. The same Chinese judge gave China's Zongyang his highest or equal-highest score of the five judges. Go figure.
Here's the rub: Morris, was undeterred with the decision of the judges. He said it is what it is, he accepted it, it was fine, and he was pretty happy with himself to be there and end the program in one piece. That's good ol' Aussie spirit for you. But it's stinks to high heaven and rotten to the core. When he returns to Australia there should be a parade for him.
It's like when a drug cheat wins Gold and all the accolades – then months later disqualified. The next in line gets a hand shake at their home town hall - with a whole lot of nice words. Cyclist Bradley McGee commented on drug cheats and how they “stole rightful honours and Olympic berths”.
How about an Olympic official fall on their sword! Now that would be something to see.
Josh Hinds is an experienced international sport writer and a school chaplain.
Josh Hinds is a school chaplain and an experienced international sport writer, now in his 9th year as a Christian Today sport writer.
