SEOUL, Feb 14 — A Buddhist monk has drawn international attention after South Korea won landmark Olympic snowboard medals, capping decades of his support for young athletes in a sport long unpopular at home.

Venerable Hosan, head monk of Bongsunsa Temple and himself a rider, launched a youth competition more than 20 years ago whose alumni bagged three Olympic snowboard medals this month in Italy —  including South Korea’s first-ever gold in the sport.