PYEONGCHANG, South Korea: Lookalikes of Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un who caused a stir at Friday’s Pyeongchang Olympics opening ceremony have thanked organizers for their tender loving care.
The feuding ‘world leaders’ sparked excitement when they infiltrated the press area before being tackled by security.
But the Kim impersonator, who goes by the stage name of Howard X, insisted they had not been ejected from the stadium, merely escorted back to their correct seats.
“We tried to sneak into the media section so we could wave to the athletes,” he told AFP on Saturday.
“They didn’t kick us out, we had tickets. A bunch of journalists were chasing us so security took us outside so we could get to our seats,” the fake Kim added.
“They were very professional and just doing their jobs. They even provided us with an entourage, so we looked like the real thing and it caused even more of a commotion.”
Local organizers insisted normal protocol had been followed.
“There was no problem with their costumes but they entered the media seats with a regular ticket,” they said. “We just guided out those who have entered the media seats by mistake.”
Fake Kim admitted that he and Trump substitute Dennis Alan had failed to get close enough to interact with athletes, including the two Koreas who marched together behind the blue-and-white unification flag.
They were also not able to get close to the VIP area, where US Vice President Mike Pence and the real Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong were in attendance.
But the imposters were given a warm reception by stunned onlookers, according to Howard.
“People told us it was really funny,” he said. “Even the security guards were asking for selfies.”
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As it hit the pitch, Catan leapt into action and started performing rudimentary CPR, pumping the bird’s ribcage.
“When I started the chest compressions, it began moving its legs. The more it moved, the more I kept going,” he said.
When it started breathing, he carried it off the pitch to medical staff, who took care of it.
By that evening, videos had gone viral on social media and Catan said his phone began ringing nonstop.
“We’d lost the match, so I wasn’t in a good mood. Then overnight the messages started coming in. We were shocked by how fast it spread,” he said.
“It’s been in the press in Brazil, Italy, America...”
Since the Istanbul match, Catan has received animal rights organization PETA’s “Hero to Animals award.”
Originally from the northern Turkish city of Tokat where he lives with his two cats, Catan had dreamed of playing football since childhood.
The story ended sadly, however, as the bird later died, according to a commentator who witnessed the incident.
Yurdum Spor is considering adding a seagull to its logo in tribute.
Trump and Kim fakes thank Olympics for kind welcome
Trump and Kim fakes thank Olympics for kind welcome
Turkish footballer hailed as hero after saving stunned seagull
- Gani Catan, captain of amateur club Yurdum Spor, raced across the pitch Sunday after a ball knocked the low-flying bird to the ground
- “I acted on instinct, or maybe I once saw someone do this on a dog or a cat,” he said
ISTANBUL: A Turkish amateur footballer has gone viral for saving a seagull’s life with CPR after it was struck down during an Istanbul match.
Gani Catan, a 32-year-old accountant and captain of amateur club Yurdum Spor, raced across the pitch Sunday after a ball knocked the low-flying bird to the ground.
“I acted on instinct, or maybe I once saw someone do this on a dog or a cat,” he told AFP a few days later as he watched the club’s youth teams train.
As it hit the pitch, Catan leapt into action and started performing rudimentary CPR, pumping the bird’s ribcage.
“When I started the chest compressions, it began moving its legs. The more it moved, the more I kept going,” he said.
When it started breathing, he carried it off the pitch to medical staff, who took care of it.
By that evening, videos had gone viral on social media and Catan said his phone began ringing nonstop.
“We’d lost the match, so I wasn’t in a good mood. Then overnight the messages started coming in. We were shocked by how fast it spread,” he said.
“It’s been in the press in Brazil, Italy, America...”
Since the Istanbul match, Catan has received animal rights organization PETA’s “Hero to Animals award.”
Originally from the northern Turkish city of Tokat where he lives with his two cats, Catan had dreamed of playing football since childhood.
The story ended sadly, however, as the bird later died, according to a commentator who witnessed the incident.
Yurdum Spor is considering adding a seagull to its logo in tribute.
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