Former South Korean women’s national team member Kim Yeon-koung promised to further support young athletes after receiving the International Olympic Committee’s Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions Award for Asia.
The IOC recognised Kim’s continuous efforts in promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion through volleyball with the help of her KYK Foundation.
The famous volleyball player established her foundation back in 2024 after announcing her retirement from the women’s national team after 17 years of service.
Before her retirement, Kim was part of South Korea’s team at the 2012 London Olympics, 2016 Rio Olympics, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
She continued playing professionally until 2025, helping the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders win the V-League championship, capping off her playing career with a title under her belt.
The three-time Olympian admitted in an interview with FIVB that she felt excited about retiring since she had had to follow strict training, competition, and recovery schedules throughout her volleyball career.
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Volleyball connection
Kim shared that she remains connected with volleyball through her mentorship works since the self-discipline she learned from the sport has become part of her lifestyle already.
One of the main goals of her KYK Foundation is to help support and train promising athletes without their having to worry about possible economic or environmental problems.
The foundation also focuses on teaching social values to young athletes while providing them more opportunities to enhance their skills in volleyball.
Kim said that she aims to use her influence and platform to share her skills and knowledge she gained from her decorated volleyball career with aspiring players, especially girls and young women.
“I wanted to help create better opportunities and environments where young athletes can focus on their dreams and grow with confidence.
“More than anything, I hope the young athletes who receive support from our foundation will grow up to support the next generation as well,” the South Korean star told FIVB in an interview.
Her passion for helping grow the sport, especially through her KYK Foundation, was ultimately noticed by the IOC and made her a worthy recipient of the Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions Award for Asia.
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Who else was recognised?
Aside from Kim Yeon-koung, the IOC also recognised five other individuals for their commitment in promoting gender equality through sports.
Former Indian men’s national volleyball team captain Abhijit Bhattacharya was named the global winner of the 2025 Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions Awards.
Bhattacharya helped establish grassroots programmes in India’s Assam to ensure that aspiring girls and boys would have access to different sports despite the current situation of their respective communities.
Kim Yeon-koung was named as the continental winner for Asia for her KYK Foundation.
Zambian footballer Racheal Kundananji was the recipient for Africa for her Racheal Kundananji Legacy Foundation (RKF), while former Panamanian professional footballer Monica Elvira Franco Luzcando was recognised for her #Golerinas initiative.
Both players utilised their platforms and influence to help tackle gender inequalities in sports in their respective countries.
Meanwhile, French philanthropist and women’s soccer club owner Michele Kang was the European recipient of the IOC award for helping improve the women’s football ecosystem in the region.
New Zealand’s Robyn Cockburn won the continental award for Oceania after helping female athletes in New Zealand take up more leadership roles in sports over the past few years.
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