Olympic desk tennis champion Ryu Seung-min offers an acceptance speech after profitable the election for president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee on the Olympic Corridor inside Olympic Park in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Newly elected as head of the nationwide Olympic committee Tuesday, Olympic desk tennis champion Ryu Seung-min mentioned he’ll result in optimistic adjustments for the group in turmoil.
Ryu, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, upset the incumbent chief Lee Kee-heung within the election for president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC). Ryu earned 417 votes to carry off Lee, who was going for his third time period, by 38 votes.
„I might prefer to thank all of the sportspeople who’ve been by my aspect on this journey,“ Ryu mentioned after his victory on the Olympic Corridor inside Olympic Park in Seoul. „They’ve proven me want for change, and I’ll give my very best to ensure I can reward them for his or her religion.“
The election featured a file variety of candidates (six) and eligible voters (2,244), although only one,209 voters solid their ballots Tuesday. Whereas Lee had been thought-about a favourite, particularly after Ryu and different rivals had did not unify their candidacies, Ryu nonetheless pulled off the stunning victory.
Ryu, who served as an Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 2016 to 2024, mentioned he wasn’t that elated with the win, realizing how a lot work lies forward of him.
Lee was suspended by the sports activities ministry in November final yr, amid allegations of misuse of official funds and unlawful hiring practices, amongst others. The KSOC’s labor union, with greater than 80 p.c of the KSOC workforce as members, formally demanded Lee not run within the election late final yr.
Ryu mentioned his victory indicated to him simply how a lot individuals in sports activities needed to have contemporary management.
„That places additional stress on my shoulders,“ Ryu added. „And there are such a lot of urgent points to handle. And I understand how exhausting I’ve to work to assist our sportspeople understand their goals and desires.“
Ryu mentioned he felt his sincerity throughout his marketing campaign might need finished the trick and swayed voters his manner.
„I’ve had lots of people provide to assist me as a result of they noticed how honest I used to be about this chance. They labored with a pure coronary heart,“ Ryu mentioned. „To have such nice camaraderie with many various individuals makes me really feel proud as a sportsman. I wish to maintain working exhausting with a way of duty for these individuals.“
With the IOC, Ryu labored on the Athletes‘ Fee, whose members have an eight-year time period. Whether or not he’ll go for full-fledged membership in his capability as head of the nationwide Olympic committee, Ryu mentioned, „I have never considered that but. The election is March subsequent yr however I’ll give it thought if a possibility presents itself.“
On Lee’s watch, the KSOC and the sports activities ministry typically did not see eye to eye. Lee’s hostility towards the ministry possible contributed to the ministry’s effort to disrupt his bid for the third time period with its suspension, which Lee tried to problem in courtroom.
Ryu mentioned he will likely be open to dialogue with the ministry.
„I’ve by no means antagonized anybody, and I believe issues will work out effectively,“ Ryu mentioned. „We’ve got to resolve some points rapidly, and if we will achieve this via dialogue with the federal government, then it’s going to be that significantly better.“ (Yonhap)
