The first contingent of the South Korean delegation to the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics departed South Korea on Wednesday.

The delegation, consisting of 80 athletes from seven disciplines, will fly first to Atlanta in the U.S. for training before heading to Rio.

It is the first time the South Korean Paralympics team trains in a third country right before competing in the quadrennial event.

The Korea Paralympic Committee said it was due to the concerns that a long distance travel to Rio could cause health problems to the athletes and impede their onsite training.

The first contingency plans to arrive in Rio on August 31st.

A total of 139 South Korean athletes and officials will participate in the 12-day Paralympic competition that kicks off September seventh.

Team Korea will seek medals in swimming, archery, judo, track and field, rowing, table tennis and tennis.