Olympics North Korean short track skater injured in training
North Korean short track speed skater Choe Un-song writhes in pain after crashing into safety padding during training at Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Friday. / Yonhap
North Korean short track speed skater Choe Un-song sustained a right leg injury in training on Friday.
Choe took a bad spill and crashed hard into safety padding during his first training session at Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, a sub-host city of all ice events during the Feb. 9-25 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Choe was stretchered off the ice and taken to a nearby hospital. His right leg was heavily wrapped up as he was carried out of the arena
Raquel Nunes, press manager at Gangneung Ice Arena, said Choe's injury wasn't considered serious and added, "There are no broken bones. It's more a superficial injury."
Nunes said Choe was undergoing more tests to further determine the state of his physical condition.
Nunes added it wasn't immediately clear whether Choe would be able to compete in the Olympics. He's scheduled to compete in the 500 meters, and the heats for that event will take place on Feb. 20.
Choe's coach, Yun Chol, and teammate Jong Kwang-bom left the arena without speaking to reporters.
Choe is among 22 North Korean athletes set to participate in the first Winter Games in South Korea. (Yonhap)