North Korea will not participate in the Tokyo Olympics, citing coronavirus concerns, according to a state-run website report on a North Korea Olympic Committee meeting held March 25.
North Korea made the decision “to protect our athletes from the global health crisis situation related to the coronavirus,” the report, published Monday, stated, according to a Yonhap News Agency translation.
An International Olympic Committee spokesperson said the IOC has not received an official application from North Korea “to be released from their obligation to take part in the Olympic Games according to the Olympic Charter.