Lee Ki-heung, president of the Korea Sports Council (right), received the President’s Special Award from IOC President Thomas Bach.
The Korea Sports Council announced on the 2nd that Lee Ki-heung, president of the Korea Sports Council, received the ‘IOC President’s Special Award’ from International Olympic Committee (IOC) Chairman Thomas Bach on the 1st.
The IOC President’s Special Award is an award given by the IOC President who directly nominates a person who has contributed to the spread of the Olympic movement. This year, it was awarded to Chairman Lee Ki-heung to mark the 130th anniversary of the IOC’s establishment and the successful hosting of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics.
At the IOC farewell reception held the previous day (1st) to celebrate the successful completion of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, Chairman Bach said, “I am grateful that Gangwon Province, which became the legacy of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, provided a perfect stage for youth athletes to shine. “This is the result of the combined efforts of the Korean government, local governments, organizing committee, and the Korea Sports Council.”
In addition, “This competition was exposed more than 250 million times in various media, which is unprecedented for any youth competition. “This is a successful event that once again proves that Korea can host high-level winter and summer sports events,” he added.
In response, Chairman Lee Ki-heung said, “I would like to thank the operating staff, volunteers, organizing committee, government, and IOC officials who have spared no effort in hosting the Games. We will spare no efforts to spread the tangible and intangible Olympic legacy to growing youth athletes.” “He said.
In addition, he said, “The Korea Sports Council will support our athletes so that they can fully demonstrate their skills in upcoming competitions, including the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. “We ask for the public’s continued support,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, the Korean team won a total of 17 medals (7 gold medals, 6 silver medals, 4 bronze medals) in various sports such as bobsleigh, ice hockey, and snowboarding, as well as ice sports such as short track and figure skating. Ranked 3rd overall. 19가이드03