North Korea will send at least 36 athletes to this year's Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a U.S.-based media report said Wednesday.

Radio Free Asia said North Korea will be represented in nine sports, including weightlifting and marathon. Olympic qualification is still underway in boxing and some other sports, and the North Korean delegation could grow in the coming days.

The 31st Summer Olympics will take place from Aug. 5-21. RFA noted that six male and four female weightlifters were among the first ones to book their Olympic spots.

North Korea had 51 athletes in 10 sports at the 2012 London Olympics, and picked up four gold and two bronze medals. Three of the four gold medals came from weightlifting, and Om Yun-chol, the reigning Olympic champ in the men's 56kg, will try to defend his gold medal in Rio.

North Korea will also have athletes in artistic gymnastics, diving, table tennis, wrestling, archery and shooting. (Yonhap)