The Organizing Committee for the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships (Chairman Kim Jeonggi) announced on July 30 that Hwang Youngjo, the gold medalist in the marathon at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, has been appointed as an ambassador for the event.
The committee decided to appoint Director Hwang Youngjo as an ambassador, judging him to be the ideal candidate due to his national symbolism and international recognition.
Director Hwang has a deep connection with Daegu, having previously served as an ambassador for the 2003 Daegu Summer Universiade and as the marathon technical director for the 2011 Daegu World Championships in Athletics.
Through this appointment, the committee plans to actively promote the event both domestically and internationally, and to launch a variety of promotional activities aimed at encouraging voluntary participation from sports enthusiasts and citizens.
Following his appointment, Director Hwang Youngjo is expected to play a leading role in promoting the Daegu event by participating in various media interviews, filming promotional videos, and producing social media content.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC Daegu 2026) will be co-hosted by Daegu City and the World Masters Athletics (WMA). The opening ceremony will be held on August 21, 2026, and the competition will take place from August 22 to September 3, spanning 13 days at Daegu Stadium, the Daegu Stadium auxiliary field, Suseong Family Park, Gyeongsan Citizens' Sports Ground, and other venues.
This event is a global festival for amateur track and field athletes aged 35 and over. It is the only world athletics competition where participants are responsible for their own airfare, accommodation, and meal expenses in addition to the entry fee. As in previous years, the event is expected to significantly contribute to the local economy, as participants are anticipated to combine their trip with tourism and shopping, often accompanied by their families.
Director Hwang Youngjo stated, "I am currently communicating with many people through my YouTube channel 'Youngjo-hyung,' sharing the joy of athletics and the value of a healthy life. I am very pleased to be appointed as an ambassador for the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships, hosted by Daegu, the world athletics city. I will work hard to promote the event and ensure that many people can participate together."
Kim Jeonggi, chairman of the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships Organizing Committee, said, "Director Hwang Youngjo is an Olympic gold medalist who moved the entire nation and is an iconic figure in athletics. As an ambassador for the organizing committee, we expect him to play a major role in enhancing the stature of the event and raising its domestic and international profile."
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