N. Korea boosts Winter Games
Seoul, Jan. 11: Pyeongchang Winter Olympics organisers are entering their final preparations with renewed confidence after neighbouring North Korea ended months of speculation by confirming its attendance, immediately easing fears over security and ticket sales.
With one month to go, the outlook is suddenly much brighter for the “Peace Olympics”, which had been rocked by the drugs ban on Russia’s team and concerns over potential disruption by the nucleararmed North.
North Korea, which boycotted the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, this week agreed to attend its first Olympics in the South, during talks which defused soaring tensions over its nuclear programme and missile tests.
France, Germany and Austria had all voiced fears about competing in Pyeongchang during the stand- off with North Korea, which lies just 80 kilometres ( 50 miles) away from the Olympic site across a heavily fortified border.
“Security concerns over the North’s nuclear threats during the Pyeongchang Olympics have evaporated at a stroke,” Park SungBae, a sports industry expert from South Korea’s Hanyang University, told AFP.
‘ ARMY OF BEAUTIES’ Switzerland next week to hammer out the details of the North’s participation.
The North Korean delegation is expected to run into the hundreds, even though figure skaters Ryom TaeOk and Kim Ju- Sik are their only two athletes who qualified to compete -- and subsequently missed a deadline to register for the Games.
The IOC has said it will consider offering wildcards to North Korean athletes. Cross- country skiers and speed skaters are understood to be among those who could benefit.
According to reports, the North Koreans — including its “army of beauties” female cheering squad -could be accommodated on a cruise ship off the nearby coastal city of Sokcho.
“There has been plenty of speculation on whether North Korea would participate or not, but now that it’s been confirmed, we’ll have to be prepared that much more,” said Lee HeeBeom, head of the organising committee, according to Yonhap news agency. “Accommodation for athletes and other officials is all ready. Since the cheering and performing squads will also make their way, we’ll have to make our preparations accordingly.”
MISSING IN ACTION The news of North Korea’s involvement is highly welcome for Pyeongchang after Russia’s team was barred en masse by the International Olympic Committee ( IOC) last month over a wide- ranging doping conspiracy. — AFP