Athletes learn Korean culture, spend time with loved ones and tour around host cities on their days-off

Arirang News 2018-02-22

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From training for their events, pumping iron in the gym to the actual competitions.
Athletes from around the world are in PyeongChang to do their best and hopefully snag some medals,... but between the sporting action and their rigorous training programs, they do have some downtime.
Our Lee Ji-won takes a look at what some of the athletes have been doing when they have a few hours to spare.


The Olympic Festival Park has been offering visitors a lot of entertainment including food stalls with Korean cuisine. And among the visitors it's attracted is the Brazilian bobsleigh team.
The team dropped by the area to learm more about the host country Korea while mentally preparing themselves for the games ahead.
"We try to open our minds and not think about the competition and training. We try to relax and enjoy the place we are in. It's really nice because we talked with a lot of Koreans and they ask us about Brazil and we ask about Korean culture, music and food. It is really nice to know a little bit about Koreans."

Other athletes, like the bobsledders, also find time between training and competing to take a break and enjoy themselves,... normally by going shopping or watching games.
Some spend time with their loved ones, who've traveled a long way to cheer for them, like Australian cross-country skier Phillip Bellingham.
Though Bellingham doesn't have as much free time as some of the other athletes, he took the day off to thank his family for their support and share the moment with them.

"It's a nice place to be out and meet my family and experience the Korean culture and catch up with friends. It wouldn't be the same without having them here, it means a lot to me. That they are here cheering me on and that they get to see me at this level of competition. It's awesome."

Many athletes also go on tours of the host cities. A popular destination is Gangneung's Gyeongpo beach.
For skier Lee Mee-hyun, of Team Korea, this walk by the beach has all the more meaning because she's spent most of her life in the U.S.

"It's the first time coming to a Korean beach so I wanted to come see it for myself. I haven't been to a beach in a while and just being here in Korea's beach is even better because it's the water that surrounds my birth country. It feels so good."

The Olympics is where athletes show the results of years of hard work. But it's also a chance to make friends and memories for a lifetime.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News, Gangneung.

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