North Korea has announced it decision to withdraw from this year’s Tokyo Olympics because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thus, they become the first country to officially pull out of the games over coronavirus fears.
The decision was taken by North Korea’s National Olympic Committee in a meeting on 25 March to protect athletes from the “world public health crisis caused by Covid-19,” a statement said.
North Korea has insisted that it has had no coronavirus cases, but health experts have debunked such claim.
It will be the first time North Korea has skipped a Summer Olympics since it boycotted the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
The pandemic already delayed the Tokyo games, which are now scheduled to begin in July.
Organisers have insisted they will hold a safe and secure Olympics, but medical experts have warned against holding the games.
