18 September 2024 - Su-ji “Susie” Jo was part of the historic women’s ice hockey team at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, which was composed of players from both the Republic of Korea and the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea. Since then, she has been working towards earning a graduate degree in sports management at Seoul National University, and was the ice hockey sports manager at the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024. As part of the legacy of Gangwon 2024, Su-ji has played a key role in several programmes to train and inspire young winter sports athletes at grassroots and elite levels. In this opinion piece to mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of Gangwon’s candidature for the YOG , Su-ji reflects on her Olympic experiences and the powerful impact of hosting.
Returning to the arena where I competed at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 filled me with a mix of emotions. As an athlete, I experienced being in the spotlight and receiving the cheers of the spectators. But during Gangwon 2024, when I was back in the arena working for the Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, I was there to support the athletes on and off the ice. My focus shifted to ensuring that the next generation received the same spotlight and opportunities that I did.
Raising the profile of Korean ice hockey
PyeongChang 2018 had a profound effect on ice hockey in Korea, significantly raising the profile of the sport, and Gangwon 2024 was another opportunity to further imprint it in people’s minds.
Before the Games in 2018, many people didn’t even know what an ice hockey puck was – they would often think it was a choco pie! But PyeongChang 2018 led many people to take an interest in ice hockey, and hosting the Winter YOG enabled children to participate extensively in the sport and saw ice hockey become ingrained further in Koreans’ minds.
Gangwon 2024 also introduced to Koreans the 3-on-3 format, which showcases a lot of transitions, quick changes between offence and defence, and is very entertaining. Our Korean women’s team made it all the way to the final and won the silver medal, which generated a lot of interest. Lots of people came to support the team, and the huge crowds showed the immense popularity of the sport. So, in this regard, the YOG were a great catalyst in sparking a lot of interest in ice hockey in Korea.
Promoting the Olympic values
But they were also about so much more.
Gangwon 2024 provided an opportunity to extend the memory of PyeongChang 2018 and once again deliver a message of peace to the world through sport.
Su-ji “Susie” Jo (KOR), Ice hockey, PyeongChang 2018
Sometimes people forget that, beyond the medals and the accolades, the true essence of the Olympic Games lies in their values – excellence, friendship and respect. In a world often driven by commercial interests and a win-at-all-costs mentality, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As athletes, we must strive to embody these values, to compete with integrity and humility, and to build friendships that transcend borders.
The experience of forming a unified team for PyeongChang 2018 filled me with pride. It was a message of peace, a testament to the power of sport to bridge divides and bring people together. By hosting the Winter YOG, we were able to continue spreading that message and promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie among our youth.
A platform for future leaders
I think there is a need for more opportunities to respect your opponent, to learn about their country, and to build friendships with their athletes. I believe that this is possible at the Youth Olympics.
Gangwon 2024 provided a platform for the next generation of athletes to learn and grow, not just as competitors but as ambassadors for peace and understanding. Through cultural exchange and shared experiences, they forged friendships that will endure long after the Games.
Su-ji “Susie” Jo (KOR), Ice hockey, PyeongChang 2018
These are the young people who will become the sports leaders of their countries, capable of exerting a truly positive influence internationally. Through the friendships and cultural exchanges formed during the YOG, these relationships could later spread a positive influence among those countries, potentially leading to global peace through sport. I think this is what makes the Youth Olympics such a meaningful event, as it contributes to growth.
Providing hope and inspiration
As I reflect on my journey from athlete to sports coordinator, I am filled with hope for the future. The power of sport to inspire, unite and empower is undeniable. And as we continue to host events like the Olympics and the YOG, we sow the seeds of peace and understanding, laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
In the end, it's not about the medals or the victories; it's about the connections we make and the lives we touch along the way. And as long as we continue to believe in the power of sport to change the world, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.
Su-ji “Susie” Jo (KOR), Ice hockey, PyeongChang 2018
