Their latest challenge: an outbreak of the highly contagious norovirus that has sickened dozens of Olympic security officials and forced more than a thousand into quarantine a few days before the Games begin. The Games, which begin Friday, Feb. 9, include a contingent of North Korean athletes and a troupe of performers, raising the stakes for organizers to avoid any mishaps. Having North Korea involved was widely seen in Seoul as the best way to ensure a smooth Olympics in 2018. On Tuesday, a North Korean delegation of 73 North Korean athletes, officials and musicians arrived at the South Korean port of Mukho. Last month, the International Olympic Committee approved the participation of 22 North Korean athletes in five events, including ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating, cross-country skiing and alpine skiing.

Source: Wall Street Journal February 06, 2018 14:12 UTC