New S. Korean IOC member hoping to reward athletes' trust

Former South Korean bobsledder Won Yun-jong, newly elected to the Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee, poses for photos during a press conference at Korea House in Milan, Feb. 20. Yonhap

MILAN — While preparing for a career as a bobsleigh pilot, Won Yun-jong knew little about sports diplomacy. It wasn't until his Winter Games debut at Sochi 2014 that he first learned of former Olympians representing their peers on the Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Then four years later at PyeongChang 2018, Won had his eureka moment, as he watched Ryu Seung-min, the 2004 Olympic table tennis champion, hard at work as an Athletes' Commission member.

Fast forward to 2026. Won, the 2018 Olympic silver medalist, was elected to the commission on Thursday in Milan, on the sidelines of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Won, 40, is the third South Korean to serve on the commission, following Ryu and the 2004 taekwondo gold medalist Moon Dae-sung.

Won led 11 candidates by receiving 1,176 votes from 2,393 Olympians who cast their ballots here.

"Ryu Seung-min left a lasting impression on me back in 2018, as he worked so hard as a sports diplomat and also contributed to the development of Korean sports," Won said at a press conference at Korea House in Milan on Friday. Ryu is now president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC). "And when an opportunity came up for me to run for a spot on the commission, I didn't even hesitate."

Athletes' Commission members serve an eight-year term, but otherwise have the same responsibilities and rights as other IOC members. Won is now one of two South Korean IOC members, joining Kim Jae-youl.

After retiring from bobsleigh in 2022, Won dabbled in sports administration by serving on athletes' commissions for both the KSOC and the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation. Won honed his English skills while living in Canada -- an ability to communicate effectively in English or French, the two official working languages of the IOC, is a must for all Athletes' Commission members -- and he made sure to spend as much time around athletes as he could.

And during his campaign for the IOC election, Won visited multiple athletes' villages scattered across northern Italy during the most spread-out Olympics in history, at times braving treacherous conditions in the mountains. He sometimes spent up to 15 hours a day on his feet, which he said wasn't ideal for his knees and back, but it all proved worthwhile in the end.

"When I was named one of 11 candidates at first, I wasn't sure how I should approach my campaign, because bobsleigh isn't the most recognizable sport and I wasn't such a well-known figure," Won said. "The one thing I kept in mind from the beginning was that I wanted to do everything from the heart. I wanted to meet athletes in person and hear what they have to say. And thankfully, I was able to stick with that approach from start to finish, and I think it resonated with the voters."

Won said his election victory and IOC membership finally hit him when he had a breakfast meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Friday and then attended his first Athletes' Commission meeting.

Won said he now looks forward to helping athletes from tropical or snowless countries realize their Winter Olympic dreams.

"I've previously coached athletes from countries without snow and tried to ensure Olympic participation for as many countries as possible," Won said. "I want to support young athletes from those countries and teach them values of sports, so that they can grow to become Olympians."

Won said he wouldn't have been elected to the commission if he hadn't won that silver in PyeongChang, the first and so far the only bobsleigh medal by an Asian country. But as important as that moment was for him, Won said he was perhaps even more nervous while awaiting the election results Thursday.

"I had to wait for about 30 minutes, and it felt so long. The tension was unbearable," Won said with a smile. "I tried not to show it, but I was really anxious."

Won said Ryu reminded him that winning the election to get on the commission is only the beginning.

"He said I shouldn't just be taking up a seat on the commission and I have to earn my place," Won said. "He said I should really put in the effort to represent Korean sports and international sports the best I can."

As a three-time Olympian accustomed to long hours in the gym and on tracks, Won said he is ready for the grind.

"When my eight-year term ends, I want athletes to be able to say they chose the right person to represent them," Won said. "They showed me their faith in me, and I will try to reward them for it."