[THE INTERVIEW] Meet Korean bobsleigh legend now racing for IOC seat

Korea's Won Yunjong -Asia's first-ever bobsleigh Olympic medalist - is now aiming to make history once again. This time, he's running for a seat on the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission to represent athletes from around the world. Park Kun-woo tells us more. Legendary Korean bobsleigher Won Yunjong appeared confident and full of anticipation after being named one of the final 11 candidates for membership of the IOC Athletes' Commission last month. "Those candidates are role models in their own sports and have significant influence. So it's truly meaningful to be named among them." If elected in the athletes' vote at the 2026 Winter Games, Won would become Korea's first winter sports athlete to hold a seat on the IOC Athletes' Commission. Then he'd be able to act as a bridge between the IOC and athletes -to listen to them and make sure they're represented -throughout his 8-year term. Won says his own experience as an athlete has shaped how he hopes to serve. "If elected, I want to connect with athletes everywhere and speak with them freely. I've seen athletes struggling when transitioning after retirement. I want to support them through that phase, and help address mental health concerns, too. I also want to eradicate doping and protect clean athletes." With climate change threatening the future of winter sports, Won says environmental advocacy should also be part of the job. "Athletes have a big influence on the public. If they take the lead in environmental campaigns, it can raise awareness and help preserve both the planet and winter sports." But the road won't be easy. Won says he's ready to walk thousands of steps, literally, to meet athletes during the Olympics, with sincerity. For the legendary bobsleigh athlete, challenge is nothing new, as it's been the driving force behind every milestone in his journey. "What does challenge mean to you on a personal level, and as a person Won Yunjong, what are your personal goals?" "Challenge means growth and change to me. When I tried to become a bobsleigh athlete, it was a challenge and I made it. I tried to get the medal and it was a huge challenge for me, all my life, but yeah I did it. I think there are lots of challenges if I want to get good outcomes. So I believe that I can be a better person through challenges." 'No brake until the end.' With that mindset, Won says he'll keep racing forward -just like on the bobsleigh track -toward what could be a new milestone for Korean sports diplomacy. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Pyeongchang.