North Korea is participating in the Olympics after eight years with their last games being the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11.
This year’s Olympics is gaining more attention as it is the world’s largest sports event after COVID-19 ended. In this year’s Olympics, 15,000 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will compete in 32 official events.
North Korea last participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning 2 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they refused to participate in the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended North Korea’s NOC qualifications until December 31, 2022. It was for violating rule 27.3 from the Olympic Charter, which notes, “Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) is obliged to participate in the Games of the Olympiad by sending athletes.” Thus, North Korea was unable to participate in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
This will be the first Olympics after the suspension ended for North Korea. Their last international stage was at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, postponed by a year.
In March, North Korea stated on Korean Central Television, “We must demonstrate the dignity and prestige of our nation (at the Paris Olympics) and give courage and inspiration to our people.”
The North Korean team is expected to be relatively small. The exact size of the team has not been revealed, and it is expected to be unveiled before the opening event.
The North Korean team qualified to compete in six events (gymnastics, track and field, boxing, diving, wrestling, and table tennis) at the Olympics.
For gymnastics, An Chang Ok won two gold medals in the Hangzhou Asian Games. Han Il Ryong will run the men’s marathons under the Universality Quota in Paris. The Universality Quota allows athletes from various countries to participate in the Olympics even if they do not meet the standard record.
Pang Chol Mi and Won Ung Yong qualified for the women’s boxing event with gold and silver medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Kim Mi Rae and Jo Jin Mi will compete in diving. Ri Se Ung, Choe Hyo-gyong, Mun Hyon Gyong Mun Hyon Gyong, and Pak Sol Gum have been qualified in wrestling. Kim Son Hyang will compete in the women’s freestyle 50kg class.
For table tennis, Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong qualified for doubles.
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