Olympics Brings Koreas Together

The Olympics Teams from North and South sides of Korea will march together for the first time at an Olympics when the Sydney Games open next Friday.

The president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, made the announcement on Sunday during the opening session of the committee's congress in the Australian capital.

"The IOC is pleased to announce officially that an agreement has been reached between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for a joint parade at the opening ceremony," Mr Samaranch said.

He said the teams will wear the same uniform, and will march behind a special flag of unity, depicting the Korean peninsula.

The agreement was reached after long negotiations between Mr Samaranch, officials from both countries and approved by the IOC executive board.

During the games,however, they will compete as separate countries, with their own uniforms, flags and anthems.





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