Banned from flying the flag for doping violations

North Korea waved an artificial flag at the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, 스포츠토토 defying a world body ban.

North Korea's athletes carried an artificial flag as they entered the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China, at 9 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday.

It was North Korea's seventh appearance at an international sporting event in the five years since the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

The flag bearers, Park Myong-won of men's shooting and Bang Chol-mi of women's boxing, 토토 led the way with artificial flags. The athletes behind them also waved with small artificial flags in their hands.

Controversial. North Korea has been banned from flying its flag by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for doping violations.

In October 2021, WADA banned North Korea from flying its flag at international competitions outside of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying its anti-doping agency did not meet international standards.

However, North Korea has been using artificial equipment in table tennis and soccer events, including the athletes' village move-in ceremony on Feb. 22.

Meanwhile, North Korea boycotted the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021, citing the aftermath of COVID-19, and was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The suspension was lifted on Dec. 31 last year, and North Korea returned to the international sports scene last month by competing in the Asian Games in China, a country with which it has friendly relations. North Korea sent 185 athletes to compete in 17 sports. 스포츠토토링크