What Finishing First Among 11 Candidates Means: Won Yun-jong's Historic IOC Athletes' Commission Election and Korea's Sports Diplomacy Milestone
Bobsledding legend Won Yun-jong was elected first among 11 candidates to the IOC Athletes' Commission at the 2026 Milano Olympics. As Korea's third IOC member and first from a winter sport, he will represent athletes worldwide for eight years.
On February 19, 2026, a voting result announced at the Milano Athletes' Village in Italy opened a new chapter in Korean sports history. Won Yun-jong was elected first among 11 candidates. This wasn't just an election victory—it was an overwhelming first-place finish, Korea's first from a winter sport, and a testament to the trust of athletes worldwide.
TL;DR
- Won Yun-jong elected first among 11 candidates to IOC Athletes' Commission (1,176 votes out of 4,786 total)
- Korea's third IOC member, first from a winter sport
- 8-year term (until 2034), with voting rights on Olympic host city selection, sport inclusion, and major decisions
- "15 hours a day walking around the Athletes' Village to communicate" — authenticity created this historic first-place finish
- Korea enters two-IOC-member era (Kim Jae-youl ISU President + Won Yun-jong Athletes' Commission)
📊 What Happened: A Historic Moment in Numbers
The Weight of the Vote
2,393 athletes (83.4% participation rate) participating in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics voted directly at polling stations in the Athletes' Village. Won Yun-jong won 1,176 votes out of 4,786 total votes (multiple voting allowed), securing an overwhelming first place. He was elected as a new IOC Athletes' Commission member alongside Estonia's biathlon athlete Johanna Talihärm.
Three Stages of Korean Sports Diplomacy Evolution
| Order | Name | Sport | Election Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moon Dae-sung | Taekwondo | 2004 Athens | First Korean IOC Athletes' Commission member |
| 2 | Ryu Seung-min | Table Tennis | 2016 Rio | Second from summer sport |
| 3 | Won Yun-jong | Bobsleigh | 2026 Milano | First from winter sport, first-place election |
🎯 Why It Matters Now: The Real Authority of IOC Athletes' Commission
1. Voting Rights That Shape the Olympics
The IOC Athletes' Commission is not merely an honorary position. Members exercise voting rights at the IOC Session with equal status as IOC members. This means:
- Participation in Olympic host city selection votes (2034 Winter, 2036 Summer, etc.)
- Decisions on official sport adoption and exclusion (e-sports, emerging sports, etc.)
- Drafting and voting on IOC policies (athlete rights, prize money, training environments, etc.)
2. Direct Channel for Athletes' Voices
The IOC Athletes' Commission consists only of current and former Olympians, with a maximum of 23 members (8 summer, 4 winter elected + remainder appointed by IOC). They:
- Protect athlete rights during the Olympics (doping, sexual violence, training environment)
- Propose improvements to Athletes' Village operations
- Design post-Olympic athlete career transition programs
Won's election institutionally strengthens the voice of Asian winter sport athletes.
🔍 How Was It Possible: The Victory of "15 Hours a Day" Authenticity
Campaign Strategy: Analog Communication
Won Yun-jong revealed that during the Milano Olympics, he "walked around the Athletes' Village for 15 hours a day meeting athletes directly." His approach included:
- Waiting at the cafeteria entrance — Natural conversations during meal times
- Greetings in various languages — "I'm Won" self-introduction + business card distribution
- Listening to athletes' concerns — Two-way dialogue rather than one-sided promises
"I thought authenticity was most important. I met athletes, communicated with them, and listened to their voices directly. I think athletes viewed those aspects positively and voted for me in large numbers." — Won Yun-jong, acceptance speech
The PyeongChang Olympic Legacy
Won Yun-jong won a 4-man bobsleigh silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, becoming Asia's first Olympic bobsleigh medalist. After PyeongChang, he:
- Accumulated experience in international sports diplomacy
- Observed Ryu Seung-min's sports diplomacy activities as Korea Sport & Olympic Committee President
- Built networks with international organizations like the IBSF
"I was deeply impressed watching President Ryu Seung-min exchange with various organizations and act as a sports diplomat during the PyeongChang Olympics."
🌍 Who's Involved: Korea's New Sports Diplomacy Duo
Kim Jae-youl + Won Yun-jong = Two-Member System
Before Won's election, Korea's only IOC member was Kim Jae-youl, President of the International Skating Union (ISU). On February 4, 2026, Kim was also elected to the IOC Executive Board, elevating Korea's sports diplomacy status.
Korea now enters a two-IOC-member era:
| Name | Position | Term | Expertise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Jae-youl | IOC Executive Board + ISU President | ~ 2028 | Figure skating, short track, and other ice sports |
| Won Yun-jong | IOC Athletes' Commission | ~ 2034 | Winter athlete rights, bobsleigh/skeleton |
President Lee Jae-myung's Congratulatory Message
President Lee Jae-myung issued a congratulatory message via official SNS immediately after Won's election:
"I welcome the election of Korea's third IOC Athletes' Commission member. Korean bobsleigh legend Won Yun-jong has been elected to the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission. He follows taekwondo's Moon Dae-sung and table tennis's Ryu Seung-min as the third."
📈 How Long Will It Last: The 8-Year Term Roadmap
Term: 2026~2034
Won Yun-jong's IOC Athletes' Commission term is 8 years, covering the next Winter Olympics:
- 2030 France Alps Winter Olympics (Albertville-Nice)
- 2034 USA Utah Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City)
Key Issues During Term
- Host city selection for Winter Olympics after 2034 (2038 or 2042)
- Discussion of new sports like e-sports (IOC considering separate e-sports Olympics from 2025)
- Improvement of athlete prize money system (prize money introduced for some sports at Paris 2024)
- Asian winter sports development (strengthening winter sports ecosystem in China, Japan, Korea)
"I Want to Hear 'We Chose Well' After 8 Years"
At a press conference at Korea House in Milano the day after his election, Won expressed his aspirations:
"When my term ends, I want to hear athletes say they chose their representative well. Conveying athletes' voices is the Athletes' Commission member's role and most important responsibility."
⚠️ Checklist: What to Watch in the Won Yun-jong IOC Athletes' Commission Era
Korean Sports Officials
International Sports Community
Media & Public
🔗 Reference Links
- IOC Official Announcement: Milano Cortina 2026 Olympians elect new members to IOC Athletes' Commission
- JTBC News: "I'm Won" Sincerity Connected... 'Bobsledder' Won Yun-jong Elected IOC Athletes' Commission
- Yonhap News: Won Yun-jong "15 Hours a Day Around Village... Election Factor Was 'Authenticity'"
- The Korea Times: New S. Korean IOC member hoping to reward athletes' trust
- The Hankyoreh: Won Yun-jong IOC Athletes' Commission "Will Raise Voice for Athlete Rights"
📸 Image Source
- Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons - Olympic Rings (Public Domain)