Lee Kee-heung, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, on June 26 shakes hands with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), after Lee’s election as an IOC member during the 134th IOC session. (Korean Sport & Olympic Committee)
By Lee Kyoung Mi and Kim Minji
The president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee on June 26 was elected a new member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In the 134th IOC session in Lausanne, Switzerland, Lee Kee-heung earned 57 of 62 votes with two abstentions, beating out nine other candidates for the post.
Along with compatriot Ryu Seung-min, who joined in 2016, Lee is the 11th Korean to serve on the IOC.
“I believe this is a gift (from the IOC) to the Korean people for successfully hosting the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. I will strive to innovate Korean sports so that Korea will become a top sports country,” Lee said.
President Moon Jae-in on June 27 congratulated Lee’s election via Facebook by saying, “Lee’s election as an IOC member is a valuable result jointly achieved with the people.”
km137426@korea.kr
