Seoul, Korea, January 16, 2025: The new President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), Ryu Seung-min, has vowed to put athletes first in his prestigious new role.
The 42-year-old Olympic Games table tennis champion at Athens 2004 won a six-man race for KSOC President at an election on Tuesday, January 14 and took to social media to thank the athletes who voted for him.
“Thank you very much to all the athletes who believed and supported me. I am able stand here as President because of your valuable support,” he wrote.
“From now on, we will move forward one step at a time towards a new future. I will work tirelessly for the improvement of the rights of athletes and the development of Korean sports. I will always do my best to meet your expectations and return your love.”
Ryu, who is Vice Chair of the OCA International Relations Committee and a member of the OCA Coordination Committee, said he looked forward to creating a bright future for Korean sport together with the athletes.
Ryu received 3,000 messages of congratulations in the immediate aftermath of his election victory on Tuesday and vowed to thank everyone personally for their support and encouragement in due course.
Meanwhile, the International Table Tennis Federation reported on the election victory, describing Ryu as a legend of the sport.
“Ryu, who has served as President of the Korea Table Tennis Association and as an ITTF Executive Board Member, brings extensive experience in sports administration to his new role. His distinguished career also includes serving as a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2016 to 2024,” the ITTF said.
“The ITTF extends its warmest congratulations to Ryu Seung-min on this significant achievement. His continued dedication to sports development and remarkable journey from Olympic champion to sports administrator exemplifies the enduring spirit of table tennis in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.”