A Symbolic Return to His Athletic Roots
ENHYPEN’s Sunghoon has been officially selected as a torchbearer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, marking a meaningful moment that bridges his past as an athlete with his current career as a global K-pop artist. On January 24 KST, BELIFT LAB confirmed that Sunghoon will take part in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the upcoming Games.
Before his debut in the entertainment industry, Sunghoon was a reserve member of South Korea’s national figure skating team, where he underwent years of rigorous athletic training. Even after transitioning into music, his connection to sports has remained strong. Since last year, he has served as an ambassador for the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, contributing to efforts that promote sports and Olympic values.
With this appointment, Sunghoon becomes only the second K-pop artist to participate in an overseas Olympic torch relay, following BTS’s Jin, who took part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games relay. The distinction highlights not only his public influence, but also the authenticity of his athletic background in relation to the Olympic spirit.
In his statement, Sunghoon expressed deep respect for the national athletes who have dedicated themselves to preparing for the Winter Olympics, emphasizing his wholehearted support for them. Reflecting on his own journey, he shared that participating in the Olympics had once been his dream as an athlete, and that carrying the Olympic flame as a singer now feels like the fulfillment of that dream in a different form.
The torch relay for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will conclude in Milan on February 6, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Games. Sunghoon’s participation stands as a symbolic moment, illustrating how dedication, discipline, and passion can transcend fields while remaining rooted in the same core values.
