Exclusive: IOC President reveals decision on joint North and South Korea march went down to the wire

Despite huge political tensions over the past decade, the countries decided to put on a united front ahead of the event in PyeongChang.

And Hwang Chung-gum of North Korea and Won yunjong of South Korea held one 'Korean Unification Flag' as they marched together into the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium.

However, it has emerged that the final decision over the joint march was only taken four hours prior to the ceremony.

President Bach, speaking to Eurosport in an exclusive interview, said:

Bach continued: “That was a great moment and even when I see it now again it still gives me goosebumps and great emotions - because this is the Olympic message as it should be. You see these athletes from the two Koreas, they are holding hands and enjoying their moment together and writing history at this moment. They are sending a great message of friendship and peace to the world from this Korean peninsula, where we have unfortunately such high political tensions.

“This is our mission. We have been working for the participation of the North Korean athletes since 2014 in a very special way and all the way through until last moment."