North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics may be limited but their sports prowess is notable, particularly in weightlifting and football. The country has successfully achieved significant results in international competitions, including a commendable record in the Summer Olympics, while investing heavily in sports development and talent identification.
North Korea’s engagement in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang is still uncertain, likely limited to two figure skaters. Despite the country’s political complexity, their historical sports achievements reveal a surprising prowess, particularly highlighted during the Summer Olympics where they have secured 54 medals, outperforming larger nations such as India and Nigeria.
The majority of North Korea’s Olympic success lies in weightlifting, having established three world and two Olympic records. In the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, they earned seven medals, including two golds, which positioned them midway in the overall ranking. Additionally, their women’s football team ranks 11th globally, illustrating their competitive edge in sports.
Although North Korea’s women’s football team was eliminated from the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, they demonstrated skill by winning the East Asia Football Federation Championship and the under-20 World Cup in 2016. However, the team faced reputational challenges when five players tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2011. The men’s football team, with a lesser track record, has only participated in two World Cups, whose notable performance occurred in 1966.
In taekwondo, North Korea is anticipated to showcase a demonstration team at the Winter Olympics, focusing on a version governed by the International Taekwon-Do Federation, with which they have had considerable successes. At a recent competition in Pyongyang, North Korea amassed 22 gold medals, dwarfing the second-place finisher, Russia, with just seven. Investments in this sport have led to state-of-the-art facilities.
The North Korean government actively scouts for athletic talent, funneling resources into training young individuals for elite sports programs at specialized schools, despite the country’s general economic struggles. Experts, like Udo Merkel, note that these facilities stand in stark contrast to the prevailing poverty, emphasizing the dichotomy of sports development in the country. Moreover, mass participation in sports is encouraged among the population through various organizations, fostering a communal sports culture initiated by government campaigns historically.
Michael Madden posits that the regime benefits from keeping citizens engaged in organized sports and activities, utilizing competitions tied to military and labor unions.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
