While Russia and Georgia are on the brink of war, their athletes made peace on the medal podium at the Games on August 10.

After the women's 10-meter air pistol competition on Sunday, Natalia Paderina, the silver medalist from Russia, shared the medal podium with Nino Salukvadze from Georgia, who won bronze. The two rivals gave each other a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Natalia Paderina (left), the silver medalist from Russia, shared the medal podium with Nino Salukvadze from Georgia, who won bronze on August 10.

Just two days ago, while Russian Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin was waving to the athletes at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Games in Beijing, Russian tanks moved into South Ossetia, a disputed region of Georgia.

"We have been good friends since we practiced together a long time ago. Nino was once an athlete of the former Soviet Union. We won't let politics come between our friendship. Sports are not politics," revealed Paderina.

The conflict between Russia and Georgia has left over a thousand dead. Early on Sunday morning Georgia considered withdrawing from the Games, but Mikheil Saakashvili, the country's President, decided that the 35-strong delegation should stay and compete in Beijing.

Hours later, Salukvadze finished third in women's air-pistol with 487.4 points, winning Georgia's first medal at the Games.