The word "karate" is universally known, representing not only a sport but also a cultural force that has influenced global society. The term for this martial art means "the way of the empty hand", and beyond its athletic practice, it is a philosophy of life aimed at finding balance in everyday human life.

Its immense popularity and global appeal make the exclusion of karate from Paris 2024 all the more surprising. The popularity of karate is reflected in the reach of the World Karate Federation (WKF), which has 200 national federations on all continents, a number comparable to that of the federations participating in the Olympic Games.

This widespread presence underscores karate's status as one of the most recognisable and widely practised sports in the world. From its widespread practice and strong presence in schools to its portrayal in iconic films, karate has become woven into the fabric of cultures worldwide, reaching people of all ages and backgrounds.

Despite karate's success at the Tokyo Games, no official reason was ever given for its exclusion from Paris 2024. As the Games progressed, it became increasingly clear that there were no justifiable reasons for karate's absence.

A report by leading accountancy firm KPMG highlighted the huge appeal of karate, estimating that over 100 million people worldwide actively practise and support the sport.

One of its defining characteristics is its commitment to gender parity, with almost equal participation of male and female athletes in major international events.

For example, the 2023 WKF World Karate Championships attracted 493 male and 428 female competitors, while the 2024 Karate 1-Premier League events, the premier international karate competition series, attracted 727 men and 736 women.

The gender balance extends beyond participation, with equal prize money, equal competition duration and even identical competition uniforms for men and women.

As karate continues to expand its presence in every corner of the globe, and as the legacy of respect, values and cultural significance of karate continues to inspire generations, its exclusion from the Olympic programme remains perplexing.

In addition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved five new sports for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but neither karate nor kickboxing, another sport experiencing a global surge in popularity, were included. Boxing also faces a potential threat due to disagreements between the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has historically organised Olympic boxing, and the IOC in recent years.