The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea has already been a huge hit, if only because for the first time in history North and South Korea competed together during a women’s hockey match on Saturday.
Regardless of the fact that the team was crushed 8-0 by Switzerland, it was a moment of hope that moved many people, including American IOC member Angela Ruggiero. And if it were up to her, the joint Korean team would be given the Nobel Peace Prize for coming together while the two nations are still technically at war.
“I would love the team to get the Nobel Peace Prize,” Ruggiero said on Sunday in an interview with Reuters. “Seriously, the team. Something that is recognizing the sacrifice they made to adjusting their competitions.”
As noted in the report, South Korea suggested the union as a way to help ease tensions between the two nations. A gold medal winner herself, Ruggiero has a unique view on what the Olympics are all about.
“As someone who competed in four Olympics and knows it isn’t about you, your team, or your country, I saw the power of what it did last night,” Ruggiero said.
Perhaps the efforts will lead to something more significant, too. Kim Jong Un has invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in for talks between the two nations for the first time in a decade.