Seoul, Korea, October 19, 2022: The President of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, opened the 26th ANOC General Assembly at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Centre in Seoul on Wednesday morning.
President Yoon thanked ANOC and all the National Olympic Committees for their hard work in keeping the Olympic spirit alive, especially during the tough years of the pandemic. He said that Korea shared the values of the International Olympic Committee in terms of achieving freedom and solidarity through sport.
The 1988 Seoul Olympics and 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics had been a big success and displayed peace and harmony, and he looked forward to the Winter Youth Olympic Games coming to Gangwon in 2024 to introduce Korea to a new generation of athletes.
President Yoon said there were “various threats to the world that are very serious” but he was sure they could be overcome with sport playing an integral part in the mission for peace.
With IOC Executive Board member and ANOC Executive Council member Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski serving as MC for the General Assembly opening ceremony, the programme began with a short welcome address by Acting ANOC President Dr Robin Mitchell, who described Korea as a country with a “proud sporting heritage.”
Dr Mitchell said that almost 200 NOCs were attending the General Assembly which he hoped would “demonstrate our unity and diversity”.
Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Lee Kee Heung said it was the third time for Seoul to host the ANOC General Assembly following 1986 and 2006.
In his brief opening address, IOC President Thomas Bach described Seoul as a “great Olympic city” and thanked the KSOC for their welcome reception the previous evening which displayed the dynamism of modern Korean culture.
ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg reported that 187 NOCs were in attendance, 16 joined online and there was one absentee.