Gold medalist LEE Sang-hwa and JIN Jong-oh appointed as the Presidents of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games

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- Preparations for the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games accelerate with the launch of the 2nd Organizing Committee

- Eleven new members of the executive committee, including KIM Yuna, ambassador for 2024 Gangwon Games, and ballerina KIM Joo-won also newly appointed

The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games' 2nd Organizing Committee is launched to prepare for the upcoming event. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism PARK Bo Gyoon attended the inauguration ceremony of the 2nd Organizing Committee held at the Korea Press Center on February 21 (Tue) and awarded a letter of appointment to LEE Sang-hwa and JIN Jong-oh, the two new presidents appointed through the general meeting of the organizing committee. Minister PARK also presented letters of appointment to newly appointed two vice presidents, eleven executive members, and two auditors.

Minister PARK congratulated on the launch of the 2nd Organizing Committee and asked for interests in the event saying, "Through the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, we will showcase a world united through K-culture and sports so that young athletes will remember Korea as a country with diverse charming attractions. Also, he added that "Young people will be able to experience the value and spirit of the Olympics and learn the message of solidarity that connects a divided world at a sports festival with the charm of K-culture."

LEE Sang-hwa and JIN Jong-oh, the legendary figures in Korean Olympic history, will lead the successful hosting of the Gangwon 2024

LEE Sang-hwa, the new co-presidents of the Organizing Committee, is the first Asian athlete to win two consecutive gold medals in Olympics speed skating and one silver medal in 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. JIN Jong-oh, another co-presidents of the Organizing Committee, is also a gold medalist who set a legendary record of winning three consecutive Olympic medals in shooting events for the first time as a Korean. JIN serves as the director of Korean Sports & Olympic Committee commissions and member of athletes commissions of ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation). The two new presidents represent both Winter and Summer Olympic Games and are expected to actively communicate with the young athletes (15 years to 18 years). Moreover, based on their experience as athletes themselves, the two leaders will be able to deliver the best Game where athletes will be able to challenge with full of joy.

The 2nd organizing committee launched with 43 members, including current ambassador KIM Yuna and KIM Joo-won as new executive members

YOO Byung-jin, Vice President of the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member RYU Seung Min were appointed as the new vice presidents. Newly appointed eleven executive committee members include representatives of each winter events (biathlon, skiing, ice skating, ice hockey) and experts in various fields in sports, youth, culture & art, media, and tourism. In particular, KIM Yuna, who currently is the ambassador for the 2024 Gangwon Games and ballerina KIM Joo-won, who has led the Dream dance team and supported the growth of youth through culture and arts, were appointed as executive committee members to raise interest in the upcoming Games and to add a new perspective for successful hosting. Legal and accounting auditors (one person for each) will also be appointed, creating the second organizing committee with a total of 43 members.

A sports festival enjoyed by youth players around the world with hopes in the post COVID19

During the pandemic, youth sports activities and exchanges have been carried out within a limited range for the past years. However, with the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games as an opportunity, it is expected that 2,000 youth athletes from 70 countries around the world will be able to fully enjoy the charm of a sports festival together with K-culture.

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