LG is committed to nurturing sustainable athletes in skeleton and ice hockey, extending its sponsorship of the national teams through 2030.
On August 13, LG announced the launch of its skeleton talent development program, "LG Future Slide," and the ice hockey support initiative, "LG Hockey Dreams." These programs aim to expand the athlete base, enhance core competitiveness, and increase public interest beyond mere financial sponsorship.
The skeleton support system, developed in collaboration with the Korea Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, features a step-by-step training track from entry-level to national team selection. It includes a "Draft Combine" to assess the athletic abilities of prospective athletes at middle and high schools and universities, along with skeleton training sessions and start competitions.
The ice hockey support program, operated with the Korea Ice Hockey Association, focuses on improving the skills of promising players and facilitating their entry into the global arena. Key initiatives include a goalie camp, scholarships for overseas league participation, and a tryout camp for the 2028 Dolomiti Val di Fiemme Winter Youth Olympics. The recently held goalie camp invited coaches from advanced leagues, such as the NHL, to teach elite middle school goalie players advanced defensive techniques.
LG has also extended its sponsorship agreements with the skeleton and ice hockey national teams through 2030. The company has been the main sponsor of the skeleton team since 2015 and began supporting the women's ice hockey team in 2016, subsequently expanding its support to include all men's, women's, and youth teams.
Since 2014, the number of registered skeleton athletes has more than doubled, with over 130 medals won on the international stage. Ice hockey has also seen its national team lineup expand from four to seven, with the Korean women's ice hockey team winning a historic silver medal at the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics.
An LG representative stated, "It is meaningful to nurture promising athletes and contribute to the development and expansion of these sports. We will continue to provide support to broaden the athlete base."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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