North Korea at the 2004 Summer Olympics

North Korea at the
2004 Summer Olympics
North Korea at the; 2004 Summer Olympics
IOC code	PRK
NOC	Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
in Athens
Competitors	36 in 9 sports
Flag bearer	Kim Song-Ho (official)
Medals; Ranked 57th	Gold 0 Silver 4 Bronze 1 Total 5
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
	1972; 1976; 1980; 1984–1988; 1992; 1996; 2000; 2004; 2008; 2012; 2016; 2020; 2024;

North Korea competed as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. This was the nation's seventh appearance at the Olympics since its debut in 1972. North Korean athletes did not attend the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, when they joined the Soviet boycott, and subsequently, led a boycott at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, along with six other nations.

Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sent a total of 36 athletes, 13 men and 23 women, to compete only in 9 sports. For the second time in Olympic history, North Korea was represented by more female than male athletes due to its stark team size of women in diving and artistic gymnastics. Former basketball player and National Olympic Committee official Kim Song-Ho became the nation's flag bearer in the opening ceremony.^[1]^[2] Both North Korea and South Korea marched together in the Parade of Nations at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies under the Korean Unification Flag, a white flag showing the united Korean peninsula in blue. They had two flagbearers carrying the flag together at each occasion, one representing the North and the other representing the South. The female athletes and staff wore red blazers, while their male counterparts wore blue. Although they marched together, the teams competed separately and had separate medal tallies.^[3]

North Korea left Athens with a total of five Olympic medals (four silver and one bronze), failing to claim a single gold for the second consecutive time since Sydney.^[4] All of these medals were awarded to the athletes in boxing, judo, shooting, table tennis, and weightlifting. Lightweight judoka Kye Sun-Hui managed to complete a full set of medals in her illustrious sporting career with a silver, in addition to her gold in Atlanta and bronze in Sydney.^[5]

Medalists[edit]

Medal	Name	Sport	Event	Date
Silver	Kye Sun-hui	Judo	Women's 57 kg	August 16
Silver	Ri Song-hui	Weightlifting	Women's 58 kg	August 16
Silver	Kim Hyang-mi	Table tennis	Women's singles	August 22
Silver	Kim Song-guk	Boxing	Featherweight	August 28
Bronze	Kim Jong-su	Shooting	Men's 50 m pistol	August 17

Athletics[edit]

North Korean athletes have so far achieved qualifying standards in the following athletics events (up to a maximum of 3 athletes in each event at the 'A' Standard, and 1 at the 'B' Standard).^[6]^[7]

Key

Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
Q = Qualified for the next round
q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
NR = National record
N/A = Round not applicable for the event
Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Men

Athlete	Event	Final
Athlete	Event	Result	Rank
Jong Myong-chol	Marathon	2:19:47	35

Women

Athlete	Event	Final
Athlete	Event	Result	Rank
Ham Bong-sil	Marathon	DNF
Jo Bun-hui		2:55:54	56
Jong Yong-ok		2:37:52	21

Boxing[edit]

Kim Song-Guk was a surprise finalist in the featherweight class, beating the European bronze medalist in the second round and the All-Africa Games silver medalist in the quarters before edging World runner-up and European champion Vitali Tajbert in the semifinals. In the final, Tichtchenko pulled out into an early lead over Kim and never looked back, easily taking victory and leaving Kim to the silver medal.

Athlete	Event	Round of 32	Round of 16	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Final
Athlete	Event	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
Kwak Hyok-ju	Light flyweight	Ali (IRQ) L 7–21	Did not advance
Kim Song-guk	Featherweight	Bye	Kupatadze (GEO) W 25–14	Ganiyu (NGR) W 32–11	Tajbert (GER) W 29–24	Tishchenko (RUS) L 17–39

Diving[edit]

North Korean divers qualified for four individual spots in the following events.

Men

Athlete	Event	Preliminaries		Semifinals		Final
Athlete	Event	Points	Rank	Points	Rank	Points	Rank
Choe Hyong-gil	10 m platform	419.58	16 Q	600.36	15	Did not advance
Pak Yong-ryong	10 m platform	414.33	17 Q	596.01	17	Did not advance

Women

Athlete	Event	Preliminaries		Semifinals		Final
Athlete	Event	Points	Rank	Points	Rank	Points	Rank
Jon Hyon-ju	10 m platform	272.01	22	Did not advance
Kim Kyong-ju	10 m platform	263.52	25	Did not advance

Gymnastics[edit]

Artistic[edit]

Men

Athlete	Event	Qualification								Final
		Apparatus						Total	Rank	Apparatus						Total	Rank
		F	PH	R	V	PB	HB	Total	Rank	F	PH	R	V	PB	HB	Total	Rank
Kim Hyon-il	Pommel horse	—	9.112	—				9.112	56	Did not advance
Kim Hyon-il	Parallel bars	—				9.537	—	9.537	35	Did not advance
Ri Jong-song	Floor	9.675	—					9.675	14	Did not advance
Ri Jong-song	Vault	—			9.162	—		9.162	62	Did not advance

Women
Team

Athlete	Event	Qualification						Final
		Apparatus				Total	Rank	Apparatus				Total	Rank
		V	UB	BB	F	Total	Rank	V	UB	BB	F	Total	Rank
Han Jong-ok	Team	—	9.537	8.000	—			Did not advance
Hong Su-jong		9.075	9.200	8.212	8.475	34.962	50
Kang Yun-mi		9.637 Q	—		8.850	—
Kim Un-jong		9.125	9.475	8.412	9.050	36.062	36
Pyon Kwang-sun		9.200	9.600 Q	9.062	8.650	36.512	23 Q
Ri Hae-yon		8.762	8.862	8.600	8.687	34.911	52
Total		37.037	37.812	34.286	35.237	144.372	12

Individual finals

Athlete	Event	Apparatus				Total	Rank
Athlete	Event	F	V	UB	BB	Total	Rank
Kang Yun-mi	Vault	—	9.381	—		9.381	5
Pyon Kwang-sun	All-around	8.525	9.587	8.850	8.900	35.862	17
Pyon Kwang-sun	Uneven bars	—		9.600	—	9.600	4

Judo[edit]

Six North Korean judoka (one man and five women) qualified for the following events.

Men

Athlete	Event	Round of 32	Round of 16	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Repechage 1	Repechage 2	Repechage 3	Final / BM
Athlete	Event	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
Pak Nam-chol	−60 kg	Lounifi (TUN) L 0001–1000	Did not advance

Women

Athlete	Event	Round of 32	Round of 16	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Repechage 1	Repechage 2	Repechage 3	Final / BM
Athlete	Event	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
Ri Kyong-ok	−48 kg	Yıldız (TUR) L 0021–0111	Did not advance
Ri Sang-sim	−52 kg	Yokosawa (JPN) L 0000–1000	Did not advance			Diédhiou (SEN) W 0020–0000	Singleton (GBR) L 0010–0011	Did not advance
Kye Sun-hui	−57 kg	Bezzina (MLT) W 1010–0000	Yukhareva (RUS) W 0031–0010	Cox (GBR) W 1010–0010	Lupetey (CUB) W 1000–0000	Bye			Bönisch (GER) L 0010–0011
Hong Ok-song	−63 kg	Scapin (ITA) W 0001–0000	Moller (RSA) W 1000–0000	Heill (AUT) L 0010–0100	Did not advance	Bye	Rousey (USA) W 0010–0001	González (CUB) L 0000–1010	Did not advance
Kim Ryon-mi	−70 kg	Bye	Moreira (ANG) W 1010–0000	Arlove (AUS) L 0100–1000	Did not advance	Bye	Pažoutová (CZE) W 0100–0011	Jacques (BEL) L 0030–0110	Did not advance

Shooting[edit]

Three North Korean shooters (two men and one woman) qualified to compete in the following events:

Men

Athlete	Event	Qualification		Final
Athlete	Event	Points	Rank	Points	Rank
Kim Hyon-ung	10 m air pistol	583	=4 Q	682	6
	25 m rapid fire pistol	572	16	Did not advance
	50 m pistol	553	=18	Did not advance
Kim Jong-su	10 m air pistol	582	=6 Q	681.2	8
Kim Jong-su	50 m pistol	564	=3 Q	657.7

Women

Athlete	Event	Qualification		Final
Athlete	Event	Points	Rank	Points	Rank
Ri Hyon-ok	Skeet	68 (2)	7	Did not advance

Table tennis[edit]

Four North Korean table tennis players qualified for the following events.

Athlete	Event	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Final / BM
Athlete	Event	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
O Il	Men's singles	Luyindula (COD) W 4–0	Leung C Y (HKG) L 1–4	Did not advance
Kim Hyang-mi	Women's singles	Bye	Fazekas (HUN) W 4–1	Steff (ROM) W 4–2	Niu Jf (CHN) W 4–0	Zhang Xl (SIN) W 4–2	Li Jw (SIN) W 4–3	Zhang Yn (CHN) L 0–4
Kim Hyon-hui		Bye		Jing Jh (SIN) W 4–2	Tie Y N (HKG) L 0–4	Did not advance
Kim Yun-mi		Bye	Offiong (NGR) W 4–1	Wang N (HKG) L 2–4	Did not advance
Kim Hyang-mi Kim Hyon-hui	Women's doubles	Bye			C Li / K Li (NZL) W 4–1	Lee E-S / Seok E-M (KOR) L 1–4	Did not advance

Weightlifting[edit]

Four North Korean weightlifters qualified for the following events:

Athlete	Event	Snatch		Clean & Jerk		Total	Rank
Athlete	Event	Result	Rank	Result	Rank	Total	Rank
Im Yong-su	Men's −62 kg	140	=2	~~170~~	DNF	140	DNF
Choe Un-sim	Women's −48 kg	82.5	=4	95	=10	177.5	8
Pak Hyon-suk	Women's −58 kg	95	=6	122.5	=5	217.5	6
Ri Song-hui	Women's −58 kg	102.5	=2	130	=1	232.5

Wrestling[edit]

Key

VT - Victory by Fall.
PP - Decision by Points - the loser with technical points.
PO - Decision by Points - the loser without technical points.

Men's freestyle

Athlete	Event	Elimination Pool				Quarterfinal	Semifinal	Final / BM
Athlete	Event	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Opposition Result	Rank
O Song-nam	−55 kg	Kardanov (GRE) L 1–3 ^PP	Berberyan (ARM) W 3–1 ^PP	Doğan (TUR) W 5–0 ^VB	2	Did not advance			8

References[edit]

^ Crumpacker, John (14 August 2004). "Athens Games: Opening Ceremonies / Flame lights a Greek revival". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
^ "Asian Games organizers ask IOC to bring in NKorea". Associated Press. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
^ "North and South Korea to march together at Olympic opening ceremony". Pravda. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
^ "2004 Athens: Medal Tally". USA Today. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
^ "Kye Sun Hui pinned high hope to win gold at Olympics for DPRK". Xinhua. 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on August 14, 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
^ "iaaf.org – Top Lists". IAAF. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
^ "IAAF Games of the XXX Olympiad – Athens 2004 Entry Standards". IAAF. Retrieved 4 June 2011.

External links[edit]

Official Report of the XXVIII Olympiad

[1] Crumpacker, John (14 August 2004). "Athens Games: Opening Ceremonies / Flame lights a Greek revival". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

[2] "Asian Games organizers ask IOC to bring in NKorea". Associated Press. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

[3] "North and South Korea to march together at Olympic opening ceremony". Pravda. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

[4] "2004 Athens: Medal Tally". USA Today. Retrieved 1 April 2014.

[5] "Kye Sun Hui pinned high hope to win gold at Olympics for DPRK". Xinhua. 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on August 14, 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

[6] "iaaf.org – Top Lists". IAAF. Retrieved June 4, 2011.

[7] "IAAF Games of the XXX Olympiad – Athens 2004 Entry Standards". IAAF. Retrieved 4 June 2011.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

v t e National Olympic Committees at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece
Africa	Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
America	Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Bolivia Brazil British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Netherlands Antilles Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago United States Uruguay Venezuela Virgin Islands
Asia	Afghanistan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Chinese Taipei Tajikistan Thailand East Timor Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen
Europe	Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Great Britain Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine
Oceania	American Samoa Australia Cook Islands Fiji Guam Kiribati Federated States of Micronesia Nauru New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Vanuatu