Path to PyeongChang 2018: Korean Olympians helping run the Games

22 | 1 | 2018

With less than three weeks to go to PyeongChang 2018, Korean Olympians are playing a crucial role in the organisation and delivery of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games.

From leadership positions to volunteer roles, South Korea’s Olympians are stepping up to lend their expertise to the local Organising Committee to ensure their Games are a success.

Three such Olympians are gold medal short track speed skaters Gi-Hyun KO, Chun-sa BYUN, So-Hee KIM who are dedicating their time and experience to give back to the Olympic Games and serve the sports movement.

“I remember watching the television announcement in 2011 when PyeongChang was elected as the 2018 Host City and I was determined to work for the Organising Committee,” said Chun-sa BYUN, who competed at Turin 2006 and is now the Short Track Sport Manager for PyeongChang 2018. “We all feel very honoured to work here.”

“For me I want the athletes to have a really good memory of the Olympic Games, “ added So-Hee KIM, Albertville 1992 and Lillehammer 1994 Olympian and General Manager of Gangneung Oval, which will host speed skating at the Games. “My job is to prepare everything to a high standard. The Games are the pinnacle of an athletes’ career and they must be at the core of our planning.”

Speed skating and short track speed skating, both popular events in South Korea and ones the country has traditionally found Olympic success in, are expected to be some of the highlights of the upcoming Games.Gi-Hyun KO, who won gold and silver medals in short track at the age of just 15-years-old at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, is managing the Gangneung Ice Arena, the venue for short track and figure skating. She is hoping to showcase the best of Korea to the world.

“It’s a very exciting sport to be involved in and Korea has had so much success in it, I am sure that it will be one of the most watched events during the Games.”

All three agree that having Olympians involved in the organisation of the Games is imperative and are working hard to ensure their valuable input and athlete perspective helps create the best possible experience for those competing at PyeongChang 2018.

World Olympians Association at PyeongChang 2018

World Olympians Association is inviting all Olympians planning to attend PyeongChang 2018 to register their interest for WOA’s Olympians programmes.

Pre-registration is now open on the WOA website – sign-up today and make the most of your PyeongChang 2018 experience.

You can also RSVP for our exclusive OLYmpian Party at Slovenia House on 15 February HERE.