Ri Se-Gwang, from North Korea, was surrounded by smiling faces as he stood atop the podium after taking gold in the gymnastics vault. Officials from North Korea have accompanied the athletes to Brazil, on the strict orders of the country's government. However, it has emerged that the North Korean team were not allowed to pick up a free phone after the devices were banned by the North Korean Olympic committee. North Korean athlete Kim Song-guk touched hearts with his congratulatory comment to his South Korean rival this week. Meanwhile, North Korean gymnast Hong Un-Jong managed to pose for a selfie with her South Korean counterpart Lee Eun-ju earlier in the Games.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 17, 2016 15:25 UTC