Women on Women's Side: Kim Nam-mi, secretary-general of the Korea Sports Council, who broke the glass ceiling for the first time in 105 years, is returning home

Mar 27, 2025

"Please keep an eye on us. What will happen in the future."

On the afternoon of the 26th, Kim Na-mi, the secretary-general of the Korean Sports Council, returned home after seven years. On the 12th, the Korean Sports Association appointed Kim Nam-i, former vice president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), as the new secretary-general. She is the first female secretary-general in the 105-year history of the Korean Olympic Committee. Kim Nam-i, the new secretary-general-designate, is a former ski national team member who won 88 medals in the national competition from 1986 to 1993, starting with the 1978 Winter Games, and has been an athlete, leader, administrator, and international sports diplomat for 40 years until the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. After serving as the secretary general of the Sports Human Resources Development Foundation after serving as a member of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, vice chairman of the Korea Triathlon Association, and director of the Korea Sports Association for the Disabled, he led the growth of junior athletes and became the first Asian woman to serve three consecutive terms as vice chairman of the International Biathlon Federation in recognition of his excellent global communication skills and leadership. As a representative female athlete and the right person with leadership that encompasses policy planning and organizational operation, field and administration, it is an unconventional appointment that reflects the philosophy and spirit of the times of Chairman Yoo Seung Min who keywords 'women, winter, athletes' and expertise.

Kim returned home on the 27th, a day before the first board meeting and inauguration ceremony presided over by the chairman of the Korean Sports Council Yoo Seung Min. After the Sports Human Resources Development Foundation, which served as a love room and study room for athletes in 2015, disappeared overnight, she left Korea for the last time at the PyeongChang Olympics with a decision to break up, and returned after seven years. President-designate Kim, who returned home with her husband Jon Bolshlager, former coach of Switzerland's biathlon team, gave her first impression with a bright look, saying, `I still can't believe it and I'm excited.' "I'm looking forward to what will happen from tomorrow. I am afraid of meeting the expectations of sportsmen, but as always, I will do my best to develop the sports world boldly as an athlete" delivered his pledge.

When Kirsty Coventry was elected as the first president of the IOC in history, the Republic of Korea also opened the era of the first female secretary-general. President-designate Kim also welcomed the news of Coventry's election as the chairman of the committee 'Women Leader' on social media in real time. Coventry and Kim also broke the glass ceiling today. be fully aware of one's role as a role modelIt seemed as if it had been stuck with ". President-designate Kim used to be 'Women and sportsmen. Being young was a big disadvantage, but now it is an era where all of those disadvantages become advantages. I'm honored and grateful to have a great opportunity." "It's a new start because of me, so I hope more junior female athletes will come as my replacement and my colleagues in the future." I will actively support and help. Women should be on women's side. I have high expectations, too." "Please keep an eye on me. What will happen in the future?" he said with a big smile.

Meanwhile, the Korean Sports Council will hold its first board meeting and inauguration ceremony presided over by the 42nd president of the Korean Sports Council Yoo Seung Min in Grand Hyatt Seoul on the afternoon of the 27th. At 2 p.m., the board of directors will deal with issues such as Secretary-General Kim Nam-mi, the appointment of Jincheon National Training Center President Kim Taek-soo, the designation of an open position, and the appointment of the chairman of the Sports Fair Committee. The inauguration ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m., was followed by the catchphrase "Open a New Era for KSOC!" It contains the will to open a new era of sports in Korea and the Korean Sports Association. About 800 people, including sports organizations, the government, the National Assembly, local governments, national representatives, media companies and sponsors, will attend the inauguration ceremony. Chairman Yoo Seung Min, Secretary-General Kim Nam-i, and athlete village head Kim Taek-soo will take the oath to make a new leap forward in Korean sports and create a clean sports environment on behalf of the executives and staff of the Korea Sports Association through the 'Practice for a New Sports Era'. The inauguration ceremony will hold a silent ceremony before the ceremony to mourn the victims of forest fire damage, and the event will be simplified without celebratory performances and toast. Instead of a congratulatory wreath, donated rice will be donated to aid and recovery support for victims of forest fires.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.