North Korea at the Olympics?

[Sherkeu]

The performance of single pair of figure skaters could alter politics in the Korean peninsula.

As of today, NK has not qualified a single athlete for the 2018 games. Their best hope is the figure skating pair of Ryom/Kim who are now in Germany competing for 4 remaining slots. Results on Friday.

North Korea had envisioned it could host some of the Pyeongchang 2018 events. Jong-un seems to have built up some tourist facilities, including a ski resort, but no deal. They were closer to a deal back when Seoul had the 1988 Olympics. Those talks failed and North Korea boycotted. They also tried to ruin it's success with terrorist activities.
For all around security, it's better that they attend this time.

They could be offered wildcard slots from Olympic officials if it comes to that.
Would Kim Jong Un take a consolation prize to have his athletes on the world stage? Will NK boycott even if the skating pair wins a spot?

2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang run from Feb 8-25

 

[angrysoba]

For all around security, it's better that they attend this time.

Why? It is ridiculous that they should get athletes to the Olympics on the basis of appeasement. If they are not good enough to qualify then they should not be admitted.

 

[The Don]

Why? It is ridiculous that they should get athletes to the Olympics on the basis of appeasement. If they are not good enough to qualify then they should not be admitted.

Lots of countries get athletes to the Olympics (both summer and winter) without them achieving the qualifying standard. "Eric the Eel" from Equatorial Guinea is one example but there are plenty of others (IIRC there was a shot putter from some Pacific nation who ran the 100m).

It's more difficult with the winter Olympics but for example Gary di Silvestri, a New Yorker who skis for Dominica didn't even make it to the 2.2 km checkpoint in the 15km men's classic cross country ski event.

 

[angrysoba]

Lots of countries get athletes to the Olympics (both summer and winter) without them achieving the qualifying standard. "Eric the Eel" from Equatorial Guinea is one example but there are plenty of others (IIRC there was a shot putter from some Pacific nation who ran the 100m).

It's more difficult with the winter Olympics but for example Gary di Silvestri, a New Yorker who skis for Dominica didn't even make it to the 2.2 km checkpoint in the 15km men's classic cross country ski event.

I said "on the basis of appeasement".

Oh noes! Let's put some athletes in the Olympics to placate Kim Jong-un.

Eric the Eel etc... was not admitted to the Olympics on those grounds.

 

[Giz]

Why? It is ridiculous that they should get athletes to the Olympics on the basis of appeasement. If they are not good enough to qualify then they should not be admitted.

They could totally win gold in international blackmail.

 

[angrysoba]

They could totally win gold in international blackmail.

Extortion is my business, as Goldfinger once said.

Kim Jong un knows what he is doing. The world is a sucker for bad behaviour.

 

[The Don]

I said "on the basis of appeasement".

Oh noes! Let's put some athletes in the Olympics to placate Kim Jong-un.

Eric the Eel etc... was not admitted to the Olympics on those grounds.

They were admitted to the Olympics because they're a member - same applies to North Korea here


edited to add...

I'm sorry, I am utterly mistaken, the rules have changed relatively recently

The requirements are generally a little lower than the old A standard but higher than the B standard. If a country has no athletes who satisfy the standard in an event then it can no longer get one place for an athlete satisfying a lower standard.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualifying_standards_in_athletics#A_and_B_standards

In which case, unless there is precedent for wildcard entries (and there seems to have been requests for wildcards for Rio but they were not approved), then this would be exceptional.

 

[Sherkeu]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualifying_standards_in_athletics#A_and_B_standards

In which case, unless there is precedent for wildcard entries (and there seems to have been requests for wildcards for Rio but they were not approved), then this would be exceptional.

The IOC would have to add on to the quotas or give open slots to athletes that are not on the qualified/ranked list. It would not be fair to the other athletes.
*Only the host country has a guaranteed entry in each event.

The NK pairs skaters scored 3rd today. If they hang onto that into tomorrow, they qualify.

 

[Sherkeu]

Why? It is ridiculous that they should get athletes to the Olympics on the basis of appeasement. If they are not good enough to qualify then they should not be admitted.

I agree! I think the focus will be on those few athletes that are able to legitimately qualify.

Sports events have been a place where cross-border cooperation exists even when tensions arise. South Korean fans will cheer on the NK athletes even against it's allies. In sports, they support the Korean- North or South. It is a unique opportunity to thaw out the aggression.

 

[Sherkeu]

The NK skating pair of Ryom/Kim has qualified for the Olympics.

The pair's Olympic qualification is seen as positive development amid an escalating crisis on the Korean peninsula and the potential complications this could have for the Games.
The final decision regarding their Olympic participation rests with the North Korean Olympic committee which needs to give the green light.

From the NYT:

When the skaters were asked Friday at the Nebelhorn Trophy competition if they hoped to compete at the Games, their coach, Kim Hyon-son, stepped in and said, “It is up to the North Korean Olympic Committee to decide whether they will participate or not.”

 

[Wolrab]

Great. Now they will be stuffing their pockets at every buffet.