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For an athlete myself, it is especially meaningful for our country to host an Olympics. Every athlete hopes to participate in an Olympics, so I still can't believe the games of dreams is going to take place in Korea.

When they did the Olympics in Seoul - or elsewhere - didn't each host country try to show its greatness to the world viewing audience?

When Seoul hosted the Games in 1988, it became a symbol of the Asian Tigers' ascent onto the world stage. In 1992, the Barcelona Olympics represented the unification of Europe. And when Rio plays host in 2016, it will reinforce the growing importance of Brazil and Latin America as a whole.

Most other competitions are individual achievements, but the Olympic Games is something that belongs to everybody.

For a long time, just skating in the Olympics had been my goal because not many Koreans had done it.

All the people in Korea are cheering me like I'm a gold medalist or something, so I have a responsibility to my country.

I have won many trophies in my time, but nothing will ever top helping win the battle for peace in my country.

The Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation, the kind of international competition that's wholesome and healthy, an interplay between countries that represents the best in all of us.