U.S. blocks IOC request allowing sports equipment into North Korea

The United States has asked the U.N. committee on North Korea sanctions to block a request by the International Olympic Committee that would have allowed sports equipment into the isolated country, a diplomat confirmed Thursday.Earlier in the month, the IOC had requested the 15-member committee to let in the equipment, some of which is banned under previous Security Council resolutions targeting luxury items, so that athletes there could prepare and qualify for upcoming Olympic Games."It's very difficult for me to comment on individual requests which are under the committee," the head of th…READ FULL ARTICLE