Thu Sep 19 14:08:20 UTC 2024: ## Olympic Champion and Sports Leader: Jang Mi-ran Drives Youth Sports Development in South Korea
**Gangwon, South Korea** – Jang Mi-ran, a renowned Olympic weightlifting champion, is making significant contributions to sports development in her home country, the Republic of Korea, as Vice-Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism. Known for her incredible strength – she lifted 326kg at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2.79 times her own body weight – Jang is now focused on fostering the next generation of athletes.
Since 2023, Jang has played a vital role in aligning the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 with national sports policies. She is deeply involved with the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation, which aims to extend the positive impacts of the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics to the youth and beyond.
The foundation’s “New Horizons” program promotes winter sports in countries where opportunities are limited and facilitates stronger ties between the Republic of Korea and these nations. It also houses the “Dream Programme,” established in 2004, which invites young athletes from countries lacking winter sports infrastructure to experience these sports and Korean culture.
The impact of these initiatives is evident in the success of athletes like Agnese Campeol of Thailand and Jonathan Lourimi of Tunisia, who won silver medals in the monobob at Gangwon 2024 – the first medals for their countries in any Winter Olympic event. Lourimi credits his success to the support he received from the New Horizons program.
Jang believes the YOG provides a platform for young athletes to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges and learn invaluable lessons through sport. She contrasts this with her own experience as a young athlete, where opportunities were limited.
Beyond the YOG, Jang is also committed to the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), established after the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She emphasizes the KSPO’s crucial role in developing the sports industry and the importance of striking a balance between promoting summer and winter sports in the country.
The success of Gangwon 2024 demonstrates the long-term social and economic impacts of hosting the Youth Olympic Games. The event has not only inspired young athletes but also fostered a strong sense of volunteerism and community engagement. With nearly 2,000 volunteers contributing to the Games, the legacy of Gangwon 2024 continues to thrive through the Gangwon 2024 Olympic Volunteers Virtual Community.
As the Republic of Korea continues to invest in youth sports development, the influence of Jang Mi-ran and her commitment to fostering future generations of athletes promises to leave a lasting impact on the nation’s sporting landscape.
First Piper 