Lausanne, Switzerland, November 27, 2023: Laura Martinel, a judo coach from Argentina, and Chang Tae-suk, coach of the Republic of Korea women’s épée team, have been announced as this year’s winners of the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award.
The two coaches were honoured at a ceremony attended by IOC President Thomas Bach and Sergii Bubka, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission.
Chang, who competed as an athlete at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, is at the forefront of growing women’s fencing in Korea.
Chang was unable to attend the ceremony in person, and so his award was received by Mrs Kwang Hee-kyung, Director of International Relations of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee.
“The role played by coaches in an athlete’s career is sometimes invisible but always invaluable,” said President Bach, himself an Olympic fencing champion.
“The wealth of medals won by their athletes are testaments to the work of Laura Martinel and Tae-suk Chang. More than that, both coaches serve as outstanding ambassadors for Olympism and the Olympic values – and both are worthy winners of this award.”
Bubka added: “The IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of coaches from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, the greatest stage in sport.
“Both Laura Martinel and Tae-suk Chang have more than proved their worth on and off the field of play, and Olympic medals are just the most visible result of their tireless work.”
Award-winner Chang commented: “I want to express my sincere gratitude for this honourable recognition from the IOC. I would like to express my profound gratitude to Kang Young-mi, Choi In-jung, Song Se-ra and Lee Hye-in, the members of the South Korean women's epee team. It has been a joy and privilege to share countless memories and moments of triumph with these remarkable athletes.”
Korean interest in women’s fencing received a boost following the medal-winning performances of the women’s team at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Four years later, Chang became the coach of the Republic of Korea women’s épée team, and since then it has gone from strength to strength – picking up a host of medals at the Asian Fencing Championships, the Asian Games, the World Fencing Championships and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.