IOC Bans North Korea From the Winter Olympics as Punishment for Boycotting the Tokyo Olympics 2020

After the successful campaign of the Summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics 2022 will be the next mega event. Though Tokyo Olympics 2020 was a difficult task to manage for athletes and authorities, IOC delivered successful and safe mega-quadrennial games during the pandemic.

While all the countries and athletes participated, North Korea had withdrawn from the game. The nation is reportedly one of the least affected countries from the pandemic and wanted to protect its athletes. However, IOC seems to be unhappy with the decision and has banned North Korea from the upcoming Winter Olympics 2022.

North Korea will face suspension from winter games and other IOC benefits

Japanese Olympic Committee and IOC together worked hard to make the Olympic games safe for Olympians. But North Korea was the only country that did not take part in the games.

The International Olympic Committee made a huge decision against North Korea’s NOC. The committee announced on Wednesday about the ban on North Korea prior to the Winter Olympics.

IOC issued a statement saying, “Provided reassurances for the holding of safe Games and offered constructive proposals to find an appropriate and tailor-made solution until the very last minute (including the provision of vaccines), which were systematically rejected by the PRK NOC.”

The suspension is a major setback for North Korea’s NOC, as it also suspended them from any benefits from IOC. They will not receive any financial or programmatic support for the next 15-plus months.

This decision by IOC was taken because of the rules which North Korea broke. The Rule 27.3 of the Olympic charter clearly says, “Each NOC is obliged to participate in the Games of the Olympiad by sending athletes.”

IOC aims to spread unity and solidarity between countries through sports. However, IOC has mentioned that they will consider the representation of North Korean athletes by case-by-case.

Winter Olympics 2020

The Winter Olympics 2020 will begin in Beijing, China from 4 to 20 February 2022. Beijing became the host country for 2022 back in 2015. While China has been the host of the Summer Olympics back in 2008, this will be the first time they will host the Winter Olympics.

China will become the first-ever nation to hold both the summer and winter games. The last Winter Olympics were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018. Norway topped the medal tally with 39 medals, followed by Germany and Canada.

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