Background
The North Korean Olympic team has been around in some form since the 1960 Rome games, where they were represented by two athletes. Since then, they have competed in every summer Olympic games, most recently in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro. During their time in the Olympics, they have won numerous medals across a variety of disciplines. However, the question is, did North Korea actually win any Olympic medals?
Data & Research
Data collected from North Korean athletes shows that they have won 83 Olympic medals in the past 56 years since competing in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Of these medals, 63 have been Gold, 17 Silver and 3 Bronze. The majority of these medals have been awarded for weightlifting, shooting, table tennis, judo and gymnastics, with their first medal win coming in 1968 in the men’s 10-meter air rifle event.
The medals have been spread across both summer and winter Olympics. During the 2018 winter Olympics in South Korea, North Korean athletes came away with five medals: four from figure skating and one from pair figure skating. In the summer games of 2016, the North Korean team won seven medals, four Gold, two Silver and one Bronze.
Experts Perspectives
Dr. Kim Hyun-chul, professor at Seoul National University and Olympic historian said, “Although North Korea has always been at odds with South Korea and other countries in the international community, their Olympic achievements should be lauded and recognized. It is a testament to both the dedicated coaching and hardworking athletes that have put years of hard work and dedication into their performances. Furthermore, it demonstrates the determination and focus of North Korean athletes to do their best at the Olympic games.”
Josephine Choe, a retired Olympic weightlifter from North Korea, commented “The North Korean Olympic team has a strong tradition of success and for us to have achieved what we have achieved over the years is a proud moment for our nation. We have done so in spite of the sanctions imposed upon our nation and will continue to do so in the future. We are proud to be seen as a nation who is dedicated and driven to excellence.”
Insights & Analysis
While North Korean athletes have done well in the Olympics, there are still questions as to how they were able to achieve such success despite their limited access to resources and modern technology. Some experts point to the culture of dedication and hard work instilled into North Korean athletes, while others attribute their success to the strong support given by the North Korean government.
It is also important to note that, while North Korea has won numerous medals in the Olympics, there are still many countries in other parts of the world that are far more successful than they are. This shows that while North Korea has certainly achieved some success in the Olympics, they are still far behind the leading countries and will need to continue to invest in their athletes and their training if they want to stay competitive.
Struggle To Enter The Olympics
One of the major challenges facing North Korean athletes is the struggle to get into the Olympics. Due to political tensions between the North and South Korean governments and the sanctions imposed on North Korea, their athletes and teams often find it difficult to gain entry into the Olympic games and other international sporting competitions.
Despite this, they have managed to qualify for some major events, including the Asian Games, the Olympics and the World Championships. However, they often lose out on vital qualifying points due to not being able to compete in enough international events.
Sports Infrastructure & Resources
One of the major issues facing North Korean athletes is the lack of resources and infrastructure that they have at their disposal. Due to economic sanctions and the lack of modern technology in the country, athletes often have to train on rudimentary, outdated equipment and in difficult conditions.
Furthermore, facilities and training centers can be limited, which restricts the amount of training an athlete can do. These issues have compounded to make it difficult for North Korean athletes to reach their full potential.
Athlete Morale & Support
Despite the obstacles faced by North Korean athletes, they continue to demonstrate their resilience and dedication to the sport. This can be attributed to the strong support they receive from their government and the nation, who are always keen to see their athletes excel in the international arena.
This has manifested itself in some incredible performances at international sporting events, such as the 2018 Winter Olympics where North Korean athletes won five medals, and the success of the North Korean Olympic team in general.
Financial Support
The North Korean government plays an important role in the success of their athletes by providing them with financial support. This has enabled them to buy superior equipment and engage world-class coaches to work with their athletes.
In addition, the government pays for the travel expenses of their athletes, which makes it much easier for them to compete in international events. This support has enabled North Korean athletes to be competitive at the international level despite their limited resources and infrastructure.
Political Motivation Of Success
The North Korean government motivates their athletes to succeed and to bring glory to the nation in international events. This is seen as a way for them to gain diplomatic and international recognition, despite the sanctions imposed on them by other countries.
Athletes are seen as ambassadors of the nation and they are treated well by the government when they bring glory to the country, evidenced by the five medals won at the 2018 Winter Olympics. This has had a positive effect on the morale and motivation of North Korean athletes as they strive to succeed.
