Sports
16:50, 03-Feb-2018
Joint Korean women’s hockey team start training
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Twelve female hockey players from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have begun training in a newly formed joint team with the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the first combined Olympic team in Korean history.
The DPRK players were added to the existing ROK women's team of 23, with at least three DPRK players to be selected for each game.
The joint team will have their first preliminary round match against Switzerland on Feb. 10 at the Kwandong Hockey Center, after the two nations march together under a "unification flag" at the opening ceremony on Friday.
DPRK's female ice hockey players (red) train with their ROK teammates. /VCG Photo
DPRK's female ice hockey players (red) train with their ROK teammates. /VCG Photo
"They're getting along just fine," said Kim Jeong-min, a spokesman for ROK's Korean Ice Hockey Association.
In a bid to boost morale, South Korea created a cheerleaders squad to encourage athletes from both nations. About 100 people, mostly children and students, got together in Wonju, Gangwon Province, a village situated near PyeongChang.
The troop waved unified peninsula flags as they celebrated the group's creation.
1085km