PyeongChang 2018 names Olympic champion Honorary Ambassador

“With less than two years to the start of the Games, I will do my very best both as an athlete and as Honorary Ambassador to attract sports fans to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games."

South Korea’s speed skating champion LEE Sang-hwa was appointed as Honorary Ambassador for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games in a ceremony held in Seoul on Monday 25 April.

Lee Sang-hwa won gold in women’s 500 meters in the Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games consecutively, and currently holds the world record in 500m at 36.36 seconds.

Last February, Lee Sang-hwa topped the podium in the 500m event at the ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships held in Russia. Recapturing the gold medal that has evaded her for the previous two years excited sports fans and raised their hopes of her winning the third consecutive gold medal in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.

At the official press conference, POCOG Secretary General YEO Hyung-koo addressed, “POCOG is currently striving to prepare for the successful operations of the Games. It is now time to engage the participation and passion of the world to the PyeongChang 2018 Games. I truly believe that Lee Sang-hwa will play an important role in drawing public attention and interest to the Games.”

LEE said "PyeongChang 2018 is the first Olympic Winter Games to be held in Korea, and as a Korean winter sports athlete, it is an honour to be named Honorary Ambassador for the 2018 Games."

“With less than two years to the start of the Games, I will do my very best both as an athlete and as Honorary Ambassador to attract sports fans to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games," she added.

The newly-appointed Honorary Ambassador will further strengthen the promotions and awareness for the PyeongChang 2018 Games by engaging the public as she participates in POCOG’s major events. Lee will also be actively participating in the POCOG on-line promotion and networking with the public.

Meanwhile, LEE Sang-hwa and formerly appointed POCOG Honorary Ambassador LEE Kyu-hyuk will be performing their talents in Korea’s famous entertainment show which featuring the speed skating and winter sports.