Even as their countries were on the verge of a full-scale war.

An Olympic ceasefire

The Olympics aren’t just about athletic achievement and setting world records. They are also about moments that transcend sports. Following the medal ceremony in the 10-metre air pistol event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, bronze medallist Nino Salukvadze of Georgia embraced and kissed silver medal winner Natalia Paderina of Russia, even as their countries were on the verge of a full-scale war. Salukvadze and Paderina’s act of solidarity came just hours after the entire Georgian Olympic squad had considered withdrawing from the Games in protest of Russia’s role in the conflict over South Ossetia. “That kind of sportsmanship is really remarkable,” International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said. It was a poignant moment of sporting conciliation in what had been a jarring weekend of dissolution. Russian president Vladimir Putin stood on the welcoming line at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games – a Friday – while at the same time, Russian tanks moved into South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia that has support from Moscow. Putin returned home the next day. By Sunday, the conflict between Russia and Georgia had left hundreds dead. That morning, Georgia considered withdrawing from the Games, but their president, Mikheil Saakashvili, instructed the 35-member team to remain in Beijing. Russia also decided to continue competing at the Beijing Games. Hours later, Salukvadze won Georgia’s first medal of the Games. “This is a small victory for my people,” Salukvadze said. Of Paderina, she added, “When it comes to sport, we will always remain friends. If the world were to draw any lessons from what we do, there wouldn’t be any wars. There should be no hatred between athletes and people in general. We’ll leave it to the politicians to figure it out.” Paderina, a Russian soldier from Yekaterinburg, said she and Salukvadze had always been close on tour. In fact, they were both once teammates together under the old Soviet Union flag. “We are friends,” she said. “We’ve been shooting together for a long time. We don’t get mixed up in political things. Sport is beyond politics.” A couple of days later, the beach volleyball players from both countries too embraced each other, showing solidarity.

Photo Caption(s):Natalia Paderina and Nino Salukvadze after their Beijing feat —Getty Images