Korean thaw in chilly start to Olympics

Agencies PYEONGCHANG: The two Koreas marched together and South Korea’s president shared a historic handshake with Kim Jong Un’s sister as the Winter Olympics opened in a spirit of intense rapprochement on Friday. At a glittering but sub-zero ceremony, South and North Korea brought the crowd to its feet as they entered behind the blue-andwhite Korean unification flag.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in shook the hand of a smiling Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North’s leader Kim Jong Un.

It cemented what has been a rapid improvement in Korean ties since North Korea agreed last month to attend its first Olympics in the South.

Kim Yo Jong, the first member of the North’s ruling dynasty to venture South since the Korean War, forms part of the highest level delegation ever to cross the border. South and North Korea last marched together at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Shivering athletes are bracing for one of the coldest Winter Games, with real-feel temperatures plumbing to minus 10C at the ceremony. Japan’s speed skaters were among those who decided it was just too cold to brave the open-air ceremony, while organisers handed out heat packs, blankets and hats.

A marital arts display by North Korean athletes was met with silence, with the only supportive noises coming from North Korean cheerleaders high in the stands. The hosts performed a fast-paced routine choreographed to the music, delighting the crowd as they smashed planks of wood in time with the music. But when North Korean athletes took over, it became a more austere affair.

BRAVING THE CHILL

The extreme cold notwithstanding, Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua happily stripped to the waist with his chest heavily oiled. The Tongan’s brave cameo is likely to boost his celebrity status.

Before the ceremony, the organisers apologised to the Iranian team for what they called a misunderstanding over gifts of Samsung mobile phones, defusing a spat in which Iran on Thursday summoned South Korea’s ambassador over reports its athletes won’t receive smartphones being given to athletes attending the Games. Reports said athletes from Iran and North Korea would be excluded due to international sanctions against the nations.

SHIVA LEADS TEAM

India’s luger Shiva Keshavan again did the honours of holding the national flag as the Indian contingent -- skier Jagdish Singh is the other athlete -- took part.

VONN’S TRIBUTE

A tearful US skier Lindsey Vonn vowed to “lay it all out” at her fourth Olympics to honour her late grandfather, Don Kildow, the inspiration behind her stellar ski career who died in November.

A MARTIAL ARTS DISPLAY BY NORTH KOREAN ATHLETES WAS MET WITH SILENCE, WITH THE ONLY NOISES COMING FROM THEIR CHEERLEADERS .