North Korean skiers boosted by South fans

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea: Dozens of South Korean supporters stayed behind to cheer North Korea’s Han Chun Gyong and Pak Il Chol as they trundled home 100 places behind the leaders in the Olympic men’s 15km cross-country on Friday.

Despite an energetic start, Han finished 101st of 116 skiers at 42min 49.2sec — nine minutes behind the winner, Switzerland’s Dario Cologna — with Pak 107th.The stands were nearly empty by the time they reached the finish line apart but a group of South Korean supporters, dressed in blue hoodies and waving mini unification flags, chanted and danced in the cold.

The North Korean cheerleaders — who usually fill 200-plus seats when North Korean athletes are in action at the Games — were not present.“I gained strength from the support of our countrymen,” said Han. “I think it will be even more meaningful once we achieve reunification.” Han said that he was very happy that all the countries had gathered for the Olympics and added: “I will train harder and sweat to achieve higher scores at future Games.”

The two skiers competed in an international competition in Russia last April, with Han finishing 90th of 92 finishers, and Pak coming in last. North Korea has sent 22 athletes to Pyeongchang as part of a charm offensive after months of bellicose rhetoric and provocative missile launches.

British member sent home after altercation: The IOC apologised and said it expected better of its members after former Winter Olympian Adam Pengilly was sent home for “poor behaviour” following an altercation with a security officer at the Pyeongchang Games. The 40-year-old former skeleton racer from Britain became aggressive and used “insults and threats” after the guard attempted to block him politely, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) source told AFP. “Following an interview with the IOC Ethics Compliance officer, he will leave the Olympic Games and South Korea with immediate effect,” an IOC statement said. Pengilly, a vocal critic of the IOC’s handling of the Russian doping scandal, apologised to the security officer involved and the IOC thanked authorities and police in South Korea for their “excellent work”.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the Olympic body viewed the incident — believed to have taken place at a hotel — “very gravely” and president Thomas Bach will apologise to local organisers.