North Korean weightlifters, who have not competed or been tested by
anti-doping authorities since 2019, will take part in the qualifying
programme for Paris 2024.
Wednesday, 7 April 2021
North Korea’s decision not to compete at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will have a bigger effect in weightlifting than in any other sport, judged by past performance and the current qualifying rankings.
Weightlifting is by some distance North Korea’s strongest sport at the Olympic Games.
In the past three Games in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, North Korean weightlifters have won five gold medals, four silvers and a bronze - one of the best records in the world.
In the current Olympic rankings North Korea features prominently in six of women’s categories and three men’s.