(By ITTF)
Ryu Seungmin and Galia Dvorak named Athlete Role Models
Gold medallist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Korea’s Ryu Seungmin and three times Olympian Spain’s Galia Dvorak, have been named the Table Tennis Athlete Role Models for the forthcoming Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

The third staging of the now prestigious multi-sport event, proceedings commence on Saturday 6th October and conclude on Sunday 18th October

Inspiring and mentoring young table tennis athletes through educational activities and workshops at the Games are the tasks of Ryu Seungmin and Galia Dvorak, offering advice on areas such as skills development, healthy lifestyle and future careers.

Notably in addition to winning the Men’s Singles title in Athens, Ryu Seungmin was a member of the Korean outfit that won bronze in the Men’s Team event in Beijing in 2008 and four years later silver in London. Recently, at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Ryu Seungmin was elected a member of the IOC Athletes Commission.

“I’m very honoured to be appointed as an athlete role model. Thank you for giving me this great opportunity and I will put all my effort to share my experience with my young athletes. As an IOC member and Olympian, I will do my best to give them inspiration.” Ryu Seungmin

“I am thrilled about being an athlete role model for the Youth Olympic Games and to be taking part in this amazing and inspiring programme. I am looking forward to participating in the planned activities and to share my experiences with the goal of inspiring the young athletes to be the best they can, both on and off the field of play. In the same way, I believe that this experience and the contact with the young athletes will be a very enriching experience for me and I am sure that I will learn a lot from them.” Galia Dvorak

Both Galia Dvorak and Ryu Seungmin will be accessible to the athletes both in the Youth Olympic Village and in the competition venue.

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