Lotte Chairman Shin Dongbin Sends Gift to Choi Gaon for First Gold Medal: "Deeply Moved by Her Rise After Injury"

Full Support for Treatment Costs After 2024 Injury
Choi Gaon Responds, "Thank You for Your Support During the Hardest Time"

At the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, rising snowboard prospect Choi Gaon of Sehwa Girls’ High School, who won South Korea its first gold medal, received a congratulatory gift and message of encouragement from Shin Dongbin, chairman of Lotte Group.

The gift from Shin Dongbin, chairman of Lotte Group, that Choi Gaon revealed on social networking service (SNS).

On the 17th, Choi Gaon posted photos of a congratulatory flower wreath and gifts from Chairman Shin on her social networking service (SNS). The ribbon on the wreath drew attention with the message, "Congratulations, Shin Dongbin, Chairman of Lotte Group."

Chairman Shin has long-standing ties with snow events. Having been a competitive skier during his school days, he served as president of the Korea Ski and Snowboard Association from 2014 to 2018. Even after he stepped down, Lotte Group has remained the title sponsor to this day, continuing to invest more than 30 billion won.

In particular, when Choi Gaon suffered a back injury during the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup in January 2024, Chairman Shin personally covered the full cost of her treatment, providing support worth about 70 million won to help her return.

With solid backing from Chairman Shin, Choi Gaon overcame her injury and returned to competition in January last year, and at this Olympics she pulled off a thrilling come-from-behind victory by surpassing global star Chloe Kim of the United States on her third run.

In a letter sent to Choi Gaon, Chairman Shin wrote, "When I saw Choi Gaon, who had suffered a major injury in 2024, take a hard fall on her first run, I was only hoping she would just finish the competition without getting hurt again. But seeing her refuse to give up and soar once more moved me deeply," adding, "I am proud and impressed that Choi endured a long rehabilitation period, proved her own worth, and wrote a new chapter in South Korea’s snow events."

Choi Gaon also expressed her gratitude to Chairman Shin in a homecoming interview on the 16th, saying, "I think I was able to stand here because you cheered for me and supported me during the hardest times," and, "I am always grateful."