France ready to skip 2018 Winter Games if security risk too great

U.S. President Donald Trump is locked in a stand-off with North Korea over its nuclear challenge and has threatened to "totally destroy" the country of 26 million people if the North threatened the United States and its allies, including neighbouring South Korea.

Pyongyang has threatened to retaliate against a military strike against it.

Flessel told RTL radio that if the crisis deepened and "our security cannot be assured, the French team will stay at home."

But she added: "We're not there yet."

Pyeongchang, the first Asian host of the Winter Olympics outside Japan, will stage the event on Feb 9-25.

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said in a statement that the safety of its team was always its main priority.

It has representatives in South Korea and has done site visits but noted that the Canadian government recommends that its citizens should take normal security precautions.

"The safety of our entire Canadian Olympic Team is always our main priority, no matter where the Games are held," the COC said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

It added: "The Government of Canada does not currently have travel advisories in place for South Korea and recommends that Canadians exercise normal security precautions, which is the lowest of four risk levels."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it is not contemplating any 'Plan B' for the Games.

IOC President Thomas Bach said last week that considering any scenario other than holding the Olympics in South Korea could hamper diplomatic efforts.