LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The IOC said 22 North Korean athletes will compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics next month and both Korean teams will march together in the opening ceremony on February 9. IOC President Thomas Bach said the North Koreans will compete in five sports disciplines, including a unified women's hockey team.

The others are figure skating, short track speed skating, Alpine skiing and cross-country skiing.

The North Korean delegation will include 24 coaches and officials at the Feb. 9-25 Winter Games.

Get Breaking News Delivered to Your Inbox

Bach offered "sincere thanks to the governments of North and South Korea." He called agreement "a milestone in a long journey," the BBC reports.

The agreement became possible after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said three weeks ago that a team could cross the border to compete.

Bach did not take questions and was flanked by Olympic and government officials from both countries at a brief news conference.