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IOC pushes North Korean weightlifters to go to Russia-organized sports events — source

The source pointed to the close relations between North Korea and Russia, as well as the desire of Korean athletes to win top prizes at the international level

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) refusal to allow North Korea's weightlifters to take part in the Paris Olympics will drive them to the BRICS Games or the World Friendship Games in Russia instead, a source told TASS.

"The IOC and IWF obstacles on this issue will inevitably push the North Korea team to [take part in] the upcoming BRICS Sports Games and the World Friendship Games in September 2024," the source said, pointing to the close relations between North Korea and Russia, as well as the desire of Korean athletes to win top prizes at the international level.

"This could be a serious blow not only to the IWF in its quest to be a stable player in the Olympic movement, but also to the IOC, which has been engaged in a tug-of-war with Russia in recent years," the source added.

At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, North Korean weightlifters won a total of six gold medals and established a number of world records. As a result, the national team is expected to do well at the Olympic Games in France. However, according to the source, the athletes were unable to participate in any of the IWF's five qualifying events due to anti-pandemic restrictions.

According to the source, the IWF allowed the US team to participate in the European Championships in 2024 instead of the Pan American Championship due to security concerns. But no concessions are expected for North Korea. As a result, North Korean athletes may not be able to take part in the Olympics. "Where will the North Korean weightlifters go? France or Russia?" the source emphasized.

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