“Today, we commemorate the Founding Anniversary of World Taekwondo, a year after our Golden Jubilee.

“As I shared in my 2024 New Year’s Message, 2023 was a momentous year of historic achievements with the installation of a Taekwondo statue in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne; the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation being awarded the Olympic Cup; the exciting debut of Virtual Taekwondo at the Olympic Esports Games; the launch of the inaugural Sustainability Awards; and many more outstanding achievements,” said Choue.

In 2024 WT celebrates 30 years of recognition as an Olympic Sport. “The historic decision of the 103rd IOC Session in Paris on 4 September, 1994 was the catalyst to propel Taekwondo into a global icon,” wrote Choue.

“On 6 August, World Taekwondo will organise a reception to commemorate this joyous return to Paris. Against this backdrop, we return to Paris and the iconic Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées for the Olympic Games on August 7-10 and the Paralympic Games on 29-31 August. I wish to congratulate all 133 athletes from 59 National Olympic Committees, as well as the Individual Neutral Athletes and five refugee hopefuls. I also wish to congratulate the 26 Olympic Games referees and 30 Paralympic Games referees on their selection. You are the beacons of fair play and integrity,” added the president of WT.

Since Taekwondo’s debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games up to Paris 2024, a total of 119 NOCs and seven refugee athletes have participated. 

“While we eagerly await the winners in Paris, I wish to extend my congratulations to the 42 NOCs that have achieved the 176 medals to date - many of them bringing Olympic glory to their respective nations for the first time in any sport. 

“The universality and popularity of Taekwondo is on full display with the participation of new NOCs across all five continental unions. Congratulations to Gambia and Guinea-Bissau  representing Africa; Palestine, Timor Leste and Hong Kong, China representing Asia ; Czech   Republic and  Bulgaria representing Europe; Fiji representing Oceania; and Uruguay    representing Pan America.

“Likewise, congratulations to the 108 athletes from 44 National Paralympic Committees, Individual Neutral Athletes, and refugee athletes that have qualified for Paris 2024. With 12 more Bipartite Commission quotas to be awarded, this will be the largest Paralympic Games to date for Taekwondo in just our second Games,” concluded Choue.