MILAN — For years, Yunjong Won measured success in hundredths of a second, guiding a bobsleigh down an icy track at full speed. Meanwhile, Johanna Talihärm built her Olympic career through endurance on skis and precision on the shooting range.
Today, both athletes are entering a different arena. One defined not by podium finishes, but by leadership.
Elected by their peers during the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Won and Talihärm will serve on the IOC Athletes’ Commission. In doing so, they will represent thousands of competitors worldwide. Their election underscores a continuing shift within the Olympic Movement, where athletes are increasingly shaping policy and long-term strategy.
Yunjong Won: Breaking Barriers in Winter Sport
When Won piloted South Korea to a historic silver medal in the four-man bobsleigh at the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, the moment marked the nation’s first Olympic medal in the sport. As a result, the achievement resonated far beyond the track.
South Korea has not traditionally been known for sliding sports. Nevertheless, Won helped build the program from its early stages. He trained internationally and studied the technical demands of the discipline in detail.
Across three Olympic appearances in Sochi, PyeongChang and Beijing, Won became a symbol of winter sport’s expanding global reach. Those who have worked alongside him describe a measured and analytical competitor who understands both performance and preparation.
In recent years, he has taken on athlete leadership roles within the international bobsleigh community. There, he has advocated for stronger athlete representation and fairness in competition.
On the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Won is expected to focus on athlete welfare, fair play, and expanding access to winter sport in developing regions.
Johanna Talihärm: A Steady Advocate for Athletes
Talihärm’s Olympic journey has been defined by resilience and consistency. Biathlon demands both physical stamina and mental discipline, requiring athletes to shift from high-intensity skiing to precise marksmanship within seconds.
Representing Estonia across multiple Olympic cycles, Talihärm has developed a reputation as an engaged and informed voice in athlete governance. In addition, she has served in leadership roles within European sport.
Through that work, she has addressed funding challenges, athlete communication, and career transition support. Her approach emphasizes dialogue and transparency. Athletes, she has said, must remain central to decisions that affect both their professional and personal lives.
Now, on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, she brings experience from both competition and committee rooms.
Beyond Medals: Athletes Shaping Olympic Governance
Members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission participate fully in discussions on Olympic host city selection, athlete protections, and the long-term strategic direction of the Games.
The eight-year terms awarded to Won and Talihärm will extend into a new phase of Olympic development. More broadly, their election reflects the continued evolution of the Olympic Movement.
Athletes are no longer only competitors on the field of play. Increasingly, they are contributors to governance, policy, and the future structure of global sport.
On the ice and on the snow, Won and Talihärm competed for seconds. In Olympic leadership, however, they now work toward something more enduring, ensuring that the athlete perspective remains central to the future of the Games.
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