Won Yun‑jong Wins IOC Athletes’ Commission Seat as Korea Celebrates Relay Gold
Updated (8 articles)
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Image: YonhapMembers of the South Korean women's short track speed skating relay team jump onto the top of the podium after winning the gold medal at the Winter Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 18, 2026. From left: Shim Suk-hee, Noh Do-hee, Lee So-yeon, Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong. (Yonhap) Source Full size -
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Image: YonhapWon Yun-jong of South Korea (C) celebrates after being elected to the Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo provided by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. Won is joined by (from L) Nicole Hoevertsz, head of the Athletes' Commission Election Committee; Johanna Taliharm of Estonia, also elected to the commission; Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee; and Emma Terho, head of the Athletes' Commission. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size -
Image: YonhapMembers of the South Korean women's short track speed skating relay team jump onto the top of the podium after winning the gold medal at the Winter Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 18, 2026. From left: Shim Suk-hee, Noh Do-hee, Lee So-yeon, Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong. (Yonhap) Source Full size
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Image: YonhapMembers of the South Korean women's curling team celebrate their win over Sweden in a round-robin match in the women's curling tournament at the Winter Olympics at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 18, 2026. From left: Gim Eun-ji, Kim Min-ji, Seol Ye-eun and Kim Su-ji. (Yonhap) Source Full size
Won Yun‑jong Secures Commission Seat with Majority Vote On 19 February 2026, former bobsleigh silver‑medalist Won Yun‑jong was elected to the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, receiving 1,176 of 2,393 votes cast by Winter Olympians [1][2]. He topped a field of 11 candidates, defeating Estonia’s biathlete Johanna Taliharm who placed second with 983 votes [2]. The eight‑year term grants him full IOC member rights, and he will replace outgoing commissioners Emma Terho and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen [2].
Election Highlights Growing Korean Influence in IOC Won becomes the third South Korean ever on the Athletes’ Commission, following taekwondo champion Moon Dae‑sung (2004) and table‑tennis gold‑medalist Ryu Seung‑min, now KSOC president [1][2]. His appointment raises the total of Korean IOC members to two, alongside Kim Jae‑youl, elected as ISU president in October 2023 [2]. Athlete participation was high, with 83.4 % of the 2,871 eligible voters casting ballots, the second‑highest turnout for a Winter Games after PyeongChang 2018 [2].
President Lee Publicly Praises Won and Relay Champions President Lee Jae Myung posted a congratulatory message on Facebook, praising Won’s leadership, trust and sincerity, and pledging governmental support for his commission work [1]. Lee also extended “deepest congratulations” to the women’s short‑track speed skating relay squad, highlighting Choi Min‑jeong’s sixth Olympic medal and the team’s demonstration of South Korea’s short‑track powerhouse status [3]. The president’s remarks linked both achievements as evidence of the nation’s sustained competitiveness on the world stage [3].
Women’s 3,000‑m Relay Delivers Korea’s Second Gold The short‑track relay team of Choi Min‑jeong, Kim Gil‑li, Noh Do‑hee and Shim Suk‑hee captured gold in the 27‑lap race at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, beating Italy and Canada [4][3]. Choi avoided a fall after a collision with a Canadian blade, maintaining the team’s position before Kim’s final surge secured the win [4]. The victory marked South Korea’s seventh gold in the women’s 3,000‑m relay historically and raised the nation’s medal count to two gold, two silver and three bronze as the Games near their close [4].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: South Korea’s Won Yun‑jong Elected to IOC Athletes’ Commission, President Lee Congratulates – Details Won’s vote total, President Lee’s Facebook praise, and the government’s pledge to back his commission work .
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Yonhap: Won Yun‑jong Becomes First South Korean Winter Olympian on IOC Athletes’ Commission – Emphasizes Won’s historic status as the first Korean winter Olympian on the commission, vote percentages, and the eight‑year term with full IOC rights .
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Yonhap: President Lee Congratulates Women’s Short‑Track Relay Gold Medalists – Reports President Lee’s congratulatory post to the relay team, notes Choi Min‑jeong’s sixth medal, and underscores South Korea’s short‑track legacy .
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Yonhap: South Korea Wins Second Gold in Short Track Relay, Curling Team Nears Semifinals – Provides race description, team members, Choi’s near‑fall incident, and the updated national medal tally .
Timeline
2009 – South Korean figure skater Kim Yu‑na wins the ISU Grand Prix Final in Tokyo with 188.86 points, underscoring South Korea’s rising prominence in winter sports and foreshadowing future Olympic success[8].
Dec 2024 – Police open an investigation into President Yoon Suk‑Yeol’s emergency martial‑law decree of Dec 3, 2024, reflecting a tense domestic political climate that frames the nation’s international sporting achievements[8].
Dec 13, 2025 – Snowboarder Yu Seung‑eun, 17, captures South Korea’s first World Cup big‑air medal (silver, 173.25 points) in Steamboat Springs, signaling the country’s expanding talent pool in snow sports ahead of Milan‑Cortina[7].
Jan 31, 2026 – Veteran short‑track star Choi Min‑jeong targets a historic third consecutive 1,500 m gold at Milan‑Cortina, while 18‑year‑old Rim Jong‑un emerges as the men’s lead; the short‑track program runs Feb 10‑21 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena[6].
Feb 18, 2026 – South Korea clinches its second gold of the Games as the women’s 3,000 m short‑track relay (Choi Min‑jeong, Kim Gil‑li, Noh Do‑hee, Shim Suk‑hee) wins in Milano, raising the nation’s medal count to two gold, two silver, three bronze and moving the women’s curling team within a semifinal spot[4].
Feb 19, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung posts on Facebook, “deepest congratulations” to the short‑track relay squad, praising their skill and teamwork as proof of South Korea’s “short‑track powerhouse” reputation[3].
Feb 19, 2026 – Won Yun‑jong wins 1,176 athlete votes to join the IOC Athletes’ Commission, becoming the first Korean Winter Olympian and the third Korean overall on the commission; President Lee congratulates him for his “leadership, trust and sincerity” and pledges governmental support, while his eight‑year term gives South Korea two IOC members alongside Kim Jae‑youl[1][2].
Feb 21, 2026 – The women’s 1,500 m short‑track final is scheduled, where Choi Min‑jeong will attempt a third straight Olympic gold, a performance that could tie her with the nation’s most decorated Winter Olympians[6].
Feb 22, 2026 – The Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics conclude on Sunday, with the final day set to award remaining medals and finalize the overall medal table after the curling round‑robin and other events wrap up[4].
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