North Korea has decided to pull out of the upcoming summer Olympics to be held this year in an attempt to protect their athletes from contracting the coronavirus. The sports ministry came up with the decision rather regretfully, as they had hoped that the Tokyo Olympics would help promote inter Korean relationships.

“The committee decided not to join the 32nd Olympics Games to protect athletes from the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus,” the official statement read.

The decision comes in the wake of the fact that North Korea reportedly does not have any COVID cases at all. However, experts believe that the real story is much graver than that in circulation and being put out.

Reactions have already started coming in from various quarters. South Korea has expressed regret over the decision of their neighbours while Japanese Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa told media that he is waiting for more details and an official communication.

In the 2016 Olympics, North Korea won two golds, three silvers, and two broznes. Their contingent included 22 athletes along with a massive support staff, numbering around 230 people..

The decision could have a domino effect in the sense that it could pave the way for more countries to pull out of the Olympic Games due to a similar fear for their athletes.