Kim Yeon Koung recognised with IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award

Kim Yeon Koung has built one of the most influential careers in volleyball. Now the Korean icon has received one of the Olympic Movement’s leading honours after being named the Asian recipient of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award.

The award is presented annually by the International Olympic Committee to recognise individuals who advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion in and through sport. Six recipients are honoured each year, including one global winner and continental winners representing Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

The recognition places Kim among a group of individuals acknowledged for promoting participation, leadership and safe, inclusive sporting environments across sport.

A former captain of the Korean women’s national volleyball team, Kim has long been recognised for her achievements on the court. A three-time Olympian, she delivered one of the most memorable performances in Olympic volleyball at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where she was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after leading Korea to a fourth-place finish.

Kim represented Korea at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, serving as the nation’s flag bearer at the Tokyo Games before concluding her international career after a remarkable 17 years with the national team.

In recent years, she has extended that influence beyond competition, using her platform to promote gender equality, athlete welfare and wider opportunities for young athletes, particularly girls and young women.

Central to that work is the Kim Yeon Koung Foundation, which she established in 2024 and leads as chairperson. The initiative was created to provide long-term, structured support for youth athletes while addressing economic and structural barriers that can limit sustained participation in sport.

Through the foundation, programmes have been developed to expand access and strengthen pathways for young players. Scholarship initiatives provide financial assistance and performance-based incentives, helping talented female athletes continue training and competition without prematurely leaving the sport. The foundation has also supported grassroots participation through youth clinics, equipment provision and the organisation of a national middle-school volleyball championship designed to broaden access to competitive opportunities.

Support has also extended to national development pathways, including grants provided to the Korean U16 women’s national team following a historic continental victory. The initiative reinforces the principle that achievements by girls and young women in sport deserve equal recognition and investment.

Kim’s work also reflects a broader commitment to athlete leadership and long-term career development for women in sport. Through mentoring initiatives linked to the foundation, she has supported programmes aimed at helping retired or released female athletes transition into coaching and other sport-related roles.

Her engagement also extends to international sport governance and advocacy. Kim has contributed through advisory and ambassadorial roles, including involvement in international volleyball structures, participation in the FIVB Ambassadors Programme during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and engagement in athlete-centred discussions at the 2025 World Anti-Doping Agency World Conference.

Alongside these initiatives, Kim has consistently advocated for safe, fair and ethical sporting environments. Through her involvement in athlete education, integrity initiatives and anti-doping advocacy, she has promoted safeguarding, education and athlete welfare as essential foundations for equal participation in sport.

Her sustained elite performances and public engagement have also played a role in strengthening the public perception of female athletes in Korea. By emphasising recognition based on performance, leadership and professionalism, she has helped increase the visibility and credibility of women in sport.

Reflecting on the support system that shaped her own career, Kim said the experience influenced how she views the responsibility of established athletes toward the next generation.

“When I look back on my career, I know that it’s something I didn’t build alone,” Kim said in an interview with FIVB.com. “I was able to reach this stage because of the support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans. Their belief and encouragement made my journey possible.

“I experienced many different environments and situations. What stayed with me is that it’s important to have well-structured systems to grow young players. Seeing talented young players struggling within limited resources and conditions to challenge really inspired me to establish KYK foundation. It may sound obvious but witnessing that and reflecting on the environment I trained in when I was young, deeply influenced me.

“I wanted to help create better opportunities and environments where the 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. If the cycle continues, I think that would be the most meaningful impact our foundation could have.

“I hope it becomes more than financial support. I want it to be a system of encouragement where young athletes feel seen, protected, and empowered.”