Russian taekwondo athlete’s absence is disappointing, says WT President. GETTY IMAGES

World Taekwondo (WT) president Chungwon Choue thinks that the absence of Russian athletes makes the sport even more unpredictable at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Reuters reports.

Russia had won four Olympic licences, with Tokyo 2020 champions Maksim Khramtsov (welterweight) and Vladislav Larin (heavyweight) among them. 

"Yes, their absence will make the sport more unpredictable. Because the two athletes, especially the two Russian athletes, are really talented athletes in their weight categories," said Choue.

He also stated that their absence is very disappointing not only for them but also for the World Taekwondo.

WT President Chungwon Choue (right) with IOC President Thomas Bach. GETTY IMAGES
WT President Chungwon Choue (right) with IOC President Thomas Bach. GETTY IMAGES

"We are thinking that they are not military men, so they should participate as athletes," added Choue.

Tokyo 2020 runner-up Tatiana Minina and 2023 World bronze medallist Polina Khan were not granted neutral athlete status from the IOC, despite qualifying for the Games.

Only 2023 World runner-up Georgiy Gurtsiev from Belarus was invited by the NOC to compete at the Games under the Neutral flag, though his name didn’t appear in the first part of the IOC list.

The taekwondo tournament at Paris 2024 will kick off on 7 August.