The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic bobsleigh silver medalist Won Yun-jong was elected to the IOC Athletes' Commission during the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Won topped 11 candidates with 1,176 votes, and President Lee Jae-myung congratulated him on Facebook on February 20. He becomes the third South Korean member of the commission.
On February 19, 2026 (local time), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the results of the Athletes' Commission election in Milan, Italy. Won Yun-jong, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics four-man bobsleigh silver medalist, received 1,176 votes from 2,393 participating athletes, finishing first among 11 candidates. Estonian biathlete Johanna Taliharm came second with 983 votes, and the top two will replace outgoing members Emma Terho and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen.
In a video message released by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), Won said, "I was so nervous right before the results were announced. I am so happy that the work I've put in to meet athletes and build networks paid off. I want to thank my family for their support. I will now try to reach out to athletes first and work as hard for them as possible."
Voting took place from January 30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, with an 83.4 percent turnout among 2,871 eligible voters—the second highest for a Winter Olympics, behind the 83.8 percent at PyeongChang 2018. The results came three days before the closing ceremony.
Won piloted South Korea to its first Olympic medal in four-man bobsleigh at PyeongChang and has since served on various commissions advocating for athletes' rights and a fair environment. He is the third South Korean elected to the commission—after 2004 taekwondo champion Moon Dae-sung and table tennis gold medalist Ryu Seung-min, now KSOC president—and the first Winter Olympian. He joins Kim Jae-youl, elected in 2023 as International Skating Union president, as one of two current South Korean IOC members.
On February 20, President Lee Jae-myung posted congratulations on Facebook: "Amid fierce competition in which only two new members were to be elected among 11 candidates, Won Yun-jong winning the highest number of votes clearly demonstrates the leadership, trust and sincerity he has shown on the international stage." Lee praised Won's contributions and added, "I look forward to him taking the lead in building a responsible sports environment for future generations based on his extensive experience and balanced perspective. The government will actively support Won's activities as an IOC Athletes' Commission member and responsibly participate in international discussions aimed at advancing global sports and the protection of athletes' rights."
