Sports diplomacy: North Korean athletes embrace global community at Paris Olympics

In the electrifying atmosphere of the Paris gymnastics arena, American Simone Biles captivated audiences with her third gold medal win at the 2024 Olympics. Among those cheering her one was an unexpected admirer: An Chang-ok, a North Korean gymnast and rival competitor.

An, 21, not only applauded Biles but also engaged in a rare display of camaraderie, smiling and waving for the cameras, even embracing a fellow finalist. Such interactions with foreigners are uncommon for a young North Korean athlete, especially one under the watchful eye of her country's officials.

Saturday’s women’s vault final saw the North share a stage with its foes South Korea and the US.

The participation of North Korean athletes in these Olympic Games has sparked optimism that the isolated nation might be reopening after years of seclusion. This development is particularly notable considering the recent period of heightened tensions, marked by North Korea sending waste-filled balloons over the border into South Korea.

North Korea's presence at the Paris Olympics signifies a "remarkable" return to the international stage, according to Jean H. Lee, a former Associated Press journalist who established the agency's first bureau in Pyongyang. In 2021, North Korea opted out of the Tokyo Olympics, isolating itself further due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, their participation in Paris reflects an attempt to re-engage with the global community. Lee noted that this effort is made despite ongoing concerns about North Korea's nuclear programme, which remains a point of tension between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States.

Interestingly, no hostility was evident among the gymnasts from these three nations during Saturday’s event. This new wave of North Korean athletes has already secured two silver medals in Paris, impressing sports commentators who were uncertain about their performance.

Role of sports diplomacy

North Korea's objectives in these Games extend beyond winning medals. According to Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo of King’s College London, North Korea employs a long-standing strategy of "sports diplomacy." This approach involves participating in international forums to demonstrate the country's normalcy. Professor Pacheco Pardo explains that athletes are among the few North Korean figures who are not viewed with suspicion by the global community.

The selfie taken by North Korean athletes with their South Korean counterparts exemplifies one of the few visible interactions with the outside world during the Games. Aside from this, there was a minimalistic press conference featuring two North Korean table tennis players. Away from the competitive arenas, footage surfaced showing An Chang-ok with a collection of pin badges, a popular item among international gymnasts for trading.

Despite this exposure to Western culture, North Korean athletes are expected to undergo intense "debriefings" upon their return home, ensuring they remain aligned with the regime's narrative, according to Jean H. Lee, who also co-hosts the BBC World Service’s Lazarus Heist podcast. Contrary to common belief, analysts agree that athletes who do not win medals are unlikely to face punishment. However, they may endure "self-criticism" sessions to reflect on their performances.

The absence of a medal is less about potential punishment and more about the missed opportunities for rewards. Successful athletes may receive elevated social status and tangible benefits, such as new homes, explains Everard, a noted analyst.

It remains uncertain whether this latest example of sporting diplomacy will lead to substantial diplomatic discussions between the two Koreas. The positive atmosphere in Paris was momentarily threatened at the beginning of the Games when organisers mistakenly swapped the names of the two nations during the opening ceremony, prompting a formal apology.

Outside the Bercy Arena after Saturday’s gymnastics competition, a fan from Seoul expressed scepticism about any significant political changes arising from these interactions. However, she acknowledged that seeing athletes from both Koreas sharing the same stage serves as a reminder of their shared humanity.