The 24-year-old, who announced her retirement earlier this year after following her Vancouver 2010 singles triumph with silver at Sochi 2014, will work to promote the event and engage both the domestic and international public to get behind the Games.

Following on from the work she already undertakes as a Pyeongchang 2018 Executive Board member, she will also be an active part of the Organising Committee's on-line promotion and advertising, which will particularly involve reaching out to young people.

As one of the biggest celebrities and sporting stars in the host nation, and certainly the highest profile figure from a winter sport, Kim is an obvious choice to serve as an Ambassador, having also won two World Championship titles in addition to her Olympic success.

Yuna Kim showing her support for Pyeongchang 2018 following her appointment as Ambassador ©Pyeongchang 2018



She also played a key ambassadorial role in the bid process, presenting to the International Olympic Committee at the deciding Session in Durban in 2011, where Pyeongchang polled 63 votes to defeat rival bids from Munich and Annecy.

"The memories that I made with the Bid Committee are still fresh in my mind," she said, following her appointment today.

"With these memories in stow I am excited to bring the same passion and commitment with me to this new role with the Organising Committee."

Kim Yuna addressing the IOC in Durban during the winning Pyeongchang 2018 bid presentation ©Getty Images



Pyeongchang 2018 President Yang-Ho Cho has also already voiced his approval, describing how, "as a Games Ambassador for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, we expect her [Kim] to take the lead in promoting the Games to the world".

She becomes the sixth Pyeongchang 2018 Ambassador, following in the footsteps of baseball superstar Shin-soo Choo, as well as four figures from beyond the world of sport.

These consist of  Sue-jin Kang, Artistic Director at Korean National Ballet, as well as novelist Oisoo Lee, World Federation of Oversees Korean Traders Associations President Byung-ha Kwon, and orchestral group, the Sejong Soloists.

This comes at a key time in the South Korean resorts preparations for the Games, which are due to begin in just over three years and three months time.

Drumming up publicity is key, and a 10-strong Pyeongchang 2018 delegation, including Cho, is due to arrive here in Bangkok shortly ahead of the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly, which begins on Friday (November 7).

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January 2014: South Korean baseball star Choo named goodwill Ambassador for Pyeongchang 2018