North Korea will not compete in the Winter Olympics this year.
 
An International Olympic Committee official said Tuesday no North Korean athlete has qualified for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, which run from Saturday through February 23. The official also said the North's athletes did not earn special wild cards to compete as granted by international sports federations.  
 
The official Web site for the Sochi games still lists North Korea as a participating country but does not display any athletes or officials.

North Korea last missed the Winter Olympics in 2002. It sent six athletes to Turin in 2006 and two to Vancouver in 2010.