National Team Coaches Association "Welcoming Yuseungmin as President-Elect of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee" Statement

The National Team Coaches Council issued a statement on the 20th warmly welcoming Yoo Seung-min, the president-elect of the 42nd Korea Sports Council.

Regarding Yoo Seung-min’s election, the council stated, "As the first Olympic gold medalist to become president of the Korea Sports Council, the symbolism and significance he holds for athletes are immense and invaluable beyond comparison." They added, "At a time when Korean elite sports face a critical moment, Yoo Seung-min’s election as president of the Korea Sports Council has become a new beacon of hope for both athletes and coaches."

Yoo Seung-min, the president-elect of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, is speaking at the '42nd Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President-elect Press Conference' held on the afternoon of the 16th at the Pleasure Place Central Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

The council emphasized, "We have deep expectations and trust in the president-elect’s determination to expand the base of various sports and athletes, and to normalize school sports and emphasize the role of school athletic teams."

The council also expressed their commitment to actively support Yoo Seung-min, stating, "National team coaches firmly believe in the president-elect’s leadership and vision on the ground and will do their utmost to expand the foundation of Korean sports and strengthen international competitiveness."

Below is the full text of the statement released by the National Team Coaches Council.

On the occasion of Yoo Seung-min’s election as the 42nd president of the Korea Sports Council, all members of the National Team Coaches sincerely congratulate and warmly welcome him.

The news of Yoo Seung-min’s election brings great pride and hope to athletes and coaches who have long felt marginalized in sports administration. As the first Olympic gold medalist to become president of the Korea Sports Council, the symbolism and significance he holds for sportspeople are immense and invaluable beyond comparison.

From winning the Athens Olympic gold medal that brought joy and glory to the people beyond the Great Wall, to being elected as an IOC Athletes’ Commission member by walking 30,000 steps a day to demonstrate the Korean spirit to the world, and leading the Korea Table Tennis Association to revive Korean table tennis in crisis ? Yoo Seung-min has never feared thorny paths and has always taken on challenges. All these achievements have given hope and inspiration to athletes and the public.

Currently, Korean elite sports face a critical moment. However, Yoo Seung-min’s election as president of the Korea Sports Council has become a new beacon of hope for both athletes and coaches. Beyond the number of Olympic gold medals, we have deep expectations and trust in the president-elect’s determination to expand the base of various sports and athletes, normalize school sports, and emphasize the role of school athletic teams.

Furthermore, the president-elect’s commitment to creating a fair and transparent sports environment where athletes and coaches are respected, and to delivering hope to the public through the value of sports, presents a valuable direction for the sustainable development of Korean sports.

We, the national team coaches, firmly believe in the president-elect’s leadership and vision on the ground and will do our utmost to expand the foundation of Korean sports and strengthen international competitiveness. We place great expectations on his determination to normalize school sports and expand the base of sports disciplines, hoping this will create an environment where all sportspeople can enjoy fair opportunities.

Once again, we congratulate Yoo Seung-min on his election as president of the Korea Sports Council and sincerely hope that the council will achieve greater domestic and international success, further elevating the status of Korean sports. The National Team Coaches Council promises to always stand with Yoo Seung-min and do our best.

All members of the National Team Coaches Council