It’s not just about the medals: there’s the value of friendship, for example. Ties often go beyond competition and the fight for a place on the podium. And the Olympics have brought us many unforgettable moments.
There are no enemies in sport, just opponents. The Winter Olympics and Paralympics, just like the summer games, are full of stories of friendships that came about thanks to the core values of sport. Athletes competing for a medal, trainers, opponents: all sharing a sincere, deep connection that has often brought down all kinds of barriers.
6 April 1896: a symbolic date
6 April 1896: the first Olympic Games of the modern era were inaugurated in Athens, and not by coincidence did this date become the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. On many occasions, the Olympics have proved how important and long-lasting friendship is. A lesson for everyone. Even today.
Jesse Owens and Luz Long: a moving epilogue
In Berlin in 1936, Jesse Owens, the great African American athlete who, under the gaze of Adolf Hitler, would go on to win four gold medals, was risking elimination in the long jump final. Having failed his first two jumps he had only one chance left. He was approached by the athlete in the lead, the blond German Luz Long, who offered him this advice: ‘Jump earlier.’
Jesse listened to him, jumped 8.06 metres and leaped into the lead. He won. And the first to compliment him on his victory was Luz, with a big hug. They became friends. Such good friends that when Long died at the front a few years later in Sicily, Owens looked up his son to tell him about their strong friendship. Luz had asked him to do so in a letter in case he didn’t make it home.
Yuzuru Hanyu beats Javier Fernandez and what does the latter do?
Javier Fernandez entered the history of Spanish sport in 2018, winning the country’s first ever Olympic figure-skating medal with a bronze at the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. And what did he do immediately afterwards? He applauded the winner, Yuzuru Hanyu, calling the Japanese athlete ‘a talent’. These two rivals then became training buddies and have publicly reiterated their mutual esteem and affection on more than one occasion.
Nao Kodaira and Lee Sang-hwa: that unforgettable hug
At those same Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Japanese athlete Nao Kodaira beat the Korean Lee Sang-hwa in the women’s 500-metre speed-skating final. Lee broke down in tears for having lost the gold in front of her home audience. Nao was the one who consoled and encouraged her with an unforgettable hug. It was perhaps the most touching moment from those Winter Games.
Sofia Goggia and Lindsey Vonn: best friends
Another lovely example of friendship between winter sports athletes comes from two Alpine skiing legends: Sofia Goggia and Lindsey Vonn. The Italian and American have won a gold and a silver, and a gold and two bronzes, respectively, at the Winter Olympics, competing against each other on several occasions. But they are actually such good friends that the skier from Bergamo has confessed she would like Lindsey on her team.
Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim: one look is all it takes
For friends, sometimes a look is all you need. And Gimbo Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim are true friends. They were in the lead having cleared the same height at the Olympic high jump final in Tokyo in 2021. Mutaz asked the judge, “Could we have two gold medals?” “You can. It’s up to you.” Their eyes lit up, a look, a moment of understanding, a liberating hug. Two gold medals. Two champions. Two friends.
