Kim Yeon-koung Wins IOC GEDI Champions Award: A Victory for Gender Equality in Sports

[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu] The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (President Yoo Seung-min) announced that Kim Yeon-koung, the former captain of South Korea's women's national volleyball team and chair of the KYK Foundation, has been named the Asia regional winner of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Awards (GEDI Champions Awards).

The IOC's GEDI Champions Awards honor individuals and organizations that advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion through sport, selecting winners both globally and by continent.

Kim was recognized for her sustained work since retiring to expand opportunities for female athletes, strengthen leadership paths for women in sport, and help create safer, fairer sporting environments.

After founding the KYK Foundation in 2024, Kim has built a structured program to support youth athletes and broaden participation. The foundation runs scholarships and training support for young athletes who face financial barriers, placing particular emphasis on removing obstacles for female student-athletes and helping them stay involved in sport.

The foundation also increases access through a nationwide middle school volleyball tournament, equipment donations to school teams, and youth clinics, contributing to both greater youth participation and stronger local sports programs.

Kim has been active in helping female athletes continue their careers and step into leadership roles. On the TV program \"Rookie Coach Kim Yeon-koung,\" she provides technical coaching and mentoring to athletes who have retired or left their teams, and she supports their transition into coaching and other careers in sport. Internationally, she has served as an FIVB ambassador and as a promotional ambassador for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) World Conference, consistently stressing the importance of athlete education, fair play and safe sporting environments.

During her playing career, Kim raised the international profile of Korean women's volleyball and helped grow public interest in women's sports. She was named MVP at the 2012 London Olympics and represented South Korea in three Olympic Games, producing sustained results on the world stage.

Yoo Seung-min called Kim Yeon-koung's award meaningful international recognition of her efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion through sport, and said the committee will continue working to ensure sport serves as a platform for advancing social values.

[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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