Joint Korean women's hockey team nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

According toReutersAngela Ruggiero, a four-time World Champion and gold medalist in ice hockey, said she would call on other members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to join her.

“I would be very happy if the joint Korean women’s ice hockey team received the Nobel Peace Prize. It would be a fitting recognition for the sacrifices both teams have made to be able to participate together,” Angela Ruggiero said on February 11, a day after the joint Korean women’s ice hockey team competed at the PyeongChang Olympics.

South Korea has previously proposed forming a joint women's ice hockey team for the PyeongChang Olympics in an effort to draw closer to North Korea and pave the way for inter-Korean dialogue.

North Korea is still subject to tough sanctions from the United Nations and the United States over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“As an athlete who has competed in four Olympic Games, I understand that it is not only about the individual athletes, the teams they compete for, the countries they represent, but also about sending strong messages around the world,” said Ms. Ruggiero.

Despite losing to Switzerland in their opening match, the joint Korean women's ice hockey team still received enthusiastic support from North Korean cheerleaders and fans from the host country, South Korea./.