At the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, Kim Jae-yeol, President of the International Luge Federation (ISU) and IOC member, was elected to the IOC Executive Board. Simultaneously, Won Yun-jong, a Korean bobsleigh legend, was elected as an IOC Athlete Representative. This marks a significant increase in Korea's influence within the international sports community, with two Korean representatives now holding key positions. Kim's election to the Executive Board, which oversees crucial decisions including Olympic host city selection, is expected to benefit Korea's bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Won Yun-jong, the first winter sports athlete from Korea to be elected as an IOC Athlete Representative, aims to support athletes and promote their rights within the Olympic movement.

Pau Gasol, a retired NBA legend and Hall of Famer, has been elected as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athlete Representative. He will serve as the new chair, alongside Maya Blotschovska (Poland), Humphrey Kayange (Kenya), and Oluwaseyi Smith (Canada) as vice-chairs. Gasol, previously an IOC member and committee member, will represent athletes' voices in the IOC's highest decision-making bodies. Korean bobsledder Won Yoon-jong, a former Olympian, will also serve as an IOC Athlete Representative alongside Gasol. This marks the third time a Korean has held this position, following Moon Dae-sung and Seung-min Ryu.

Former Korean bobsleigh star Yoon-jong Won has been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission, becoming the first winter sports athlete from Korea to hold the position. He secured the top spot in the election, earning 1176 votes and will serve an eight-year term until the 2034 Winter Olympics. This follows Seung-min Ryu (table tennis) and Moon Dae-sung (taekwondo), and alongside Kim Jae-yeol (ISU President), Korea now has two IOC members. Won, who won a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, has vowed to represent athletes and advocate for their rights within the IOC.

Korean bobsled legend Won Yun-jong has been elected as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athlete Representative, securing the top spot with 1176 votes. This marks a historic moment as he is the first winter sports athlete from Korea to hold this position. His term will last for eight years, until the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Won Yun-jong joins Kim Jae-yeol, the President of the International Skating Union (ISU), as Korea's representatives on the IOC. As an Athlete Representative, Won will have the same rights and obligations as an IOC member, including voting rights and involvement in decisions regarding Olympic host cities and sports selection. He expressed gratitude and pledged to advocate for athletes and strengthen networks within the Olympic movement.

Following Kim Jae-yeol's election to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board, Won Yun-jong has been elected as an IOC Athlete Representative, significantly enhancing South Korea's sporting diplomacy. Won secured a decisive victory in the Athlete Representative election, garnering 1176 out of 2393 votes. This marks the third time a South Korean has held the position, following Moon Dae-sung and Ryu Seung Min. With Kim Jae-yeol also on the IOC Executive Board, South Korea now has two IOC members, a development expected to positively influence future bids, such as the 2036 Summer Olympics.