Millions of selfies are taken each day, but one, taken by two Olympic gymnasts, has captured the world’s attention.
During an Aug. 4 practice session, 17-year-old Lee Eun-Ju of South Korea and 27-year-old Hong Un-Jong of North Korea took a moment to smile together. The simple act has been widely praised around the Internet as an exercise in good sportsmanship, due to their respective nations’ hostile relationship. The act is even more significant this year, after the much publicized tensions between Lebanese athletes refused to share a bus with their Israeli counterparts, and U.S. swimmer Lilly King feuding with Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova.
“This is why we do the Olympics,” wrote TIME columnist Ian Bremmer, reflecting on the image. The tweet has already been shared more than 20,000 times.
Both gymnasts entered as individual qualifiers and were seen laughing and chatting before competing. The Rio Summer Olympics is Lee’s first Olympics competition, while Hong earned a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. During the qualifying round, Hong Un-Jong advanced while Lee Eun-Ju finished in 57th at the uneven bars.
- Bad Bunny's Next Move
- 'How Is This Still Happening?' A Survivor Questions America's Gun Violence Problem
- Nicole Chung: The Person I Became After My Father's Death
- Can Birth Control Help Solve the World's Rat Problem?
- About That Devastating Tom-Shiv Scene in Succession's Premiere
- Why Humza Yousaf's Win Is 'Historic' for Scotland
- If Donald Trump Is Indicted, Here's What Would Happen Next in the Process
- It's Time to Say a Loving Goodbye to John Wick
- Who Should Be on the 2023 TIME100? Vote Now
- Column: Ozempic Exposed the Cracks in the Body Positivity Movement
