Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin received a commendation plaque from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee for contributing to the development of South Korea’s winter sports and athlete training. Lotte Group said Yoo Seung-min, president of the committee, presented the plaque to Shin at a ceremony on Jan. 16 at Lotte World Tower in Seoul’s Songpa district.

Shin received the award in recognition of support for the national team competing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and contributions to the development of domestic winter sports. Lotte has provided more than 30 billion won in support for skiing and snowboarding since 2014. As the chair company of the Korea Ski & Snowboard Association, it has provided team equipment, improved training conditions, supported international competition costs and prize money, and strengthened athlete development systems. It also launched the Lotte Ski & Snowboard team in 2022 and recruited next-generation prospects.

The support has led to international results, including snowboarder Lee Sang-ho winning silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The result marked the first time a South Korean athlete placed in a snow event at an international competition. Choi Ga-on won the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup in 2023. Jung Dae-yoon won silver at the 2025-2026 FIS Moguls World Cup.

Lee Seung-hoon won gold in the freestyle ski halfpipe at the 9th Winter Asian Games in 2025. It was South Korea’s first gold medal in freestyle skiing. Lotte and the Korea Ski & Snowboard Association supported overseas training camps and participation in World Cup events. The support aims to secure Olympic qualification berths.

Lotte plans to set up a base camp in Italy, where the 2026 Winter Olympics will be held. It will establish an intensive support centre by dispatching coaching staff by discipline, provide conditioning equipment and deploy experts to manage athletes’ physical condition, and arrange training supplies and food provisions.

Shin said, "Lotte continues its support to expand the base of domestic snow sports, foster promising athletes and improve athletes' skills." He added, "As our athletes have recently been performing well at international competitions, I hope for strong results at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics to be held next month."

Yoo said, "I sincerely thank Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin for encouraging and supporting the dreams and challenges of the South Korean team participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics." He added, "Lotte Group has been a strong force in the growth of our country’s winter sports and in strengthening competitiveness."