Seoul, Korea, March 27, 2026: Korea’s Winter Olympian Won Yun-jong is determined to amplify the athlete voice after being elected to the IOC Athletes Commission (AC) at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Won, a three-time Olympian and silver medallist in bobsleigh, told the IOC Athlete 365 platform: “I’m so excited and honoured to be chosen by you, my fellow athletes, to be your representative.
“During my time at Milano Cortina 2026, I spent a lot of time travelling between the Villages, meeting so many athletes from around the world.
“It helped me truly understand how important the athlete voice is, and I will do my best to represent that within the Olympic Movement.”
Won views the role as a responsibility to all athletes rather than just a title.
“I decided to run for the IOC AC because athletes, and the athlete voice, are such an important part of the Olympic Games,” he added.
“Athletes should always be involved in the decision-making process - and having passionate athlete representatives is key.
“I want to be a bridge between the athlete community and the IOC, finding and amplifying as many athlete voices as I can.”
After his retirement following Beijing 2022, Won has stayed deeply embedded within the Olympic Movement, including as a member of the AC back home in Korea and for the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF).
He also serves as Vice-President of the Korea Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation, where he has led initiatives on athlete welfare, and as a development coach for the IBSF.
“I hope this experience will put me in a good place to hit the ground running in this new role. I feel like I have a really good network already, both among winter athletes and the global network of athlete representatives,” Won said, adding that career transition was a top priority.