Exclusive: Threat of Olympic Omission Sparks Taekwondo Advancement
April 22, 2013
The risk of being cut from the 2020 Olympic Games has seen Taekwondo make ‘significant advancements’ in the latest Olympic cycle, according to the President of British Taekwondo.
Taekwondo was rumoured to be one of the sports the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were thinking of dropping from the Olympic programme, before controversially demoting wrestling.
Adrian Tranter, President of British Taekwondo admitted that he did not see the possible exclusion as a threat, but more a risk that needed to be managed.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Tranter said: “For me it wasn’t so much of a threat more of a risk and with all risks they need careful management to mitigate them.
“Our sport has made real and significant advancements over this Olympic cycle, including the electronic scoring system. Our World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President Dr Choue, has been extremely proactive and positive in his strategic delivery to achieve the vision as it looked back in 2008/9.
“The WTF family has been committed to ensure the expedient delivery of the changes and we in Great Britain are very proud to have been involved in those processes.”
Tranter also agreed that the changes would help the sport progress towards future Games. He added: “One thing is for certain, we will strive to ensure we embrace further change for the better and continue to put the needs of our athletes at the heart of everything we do.
“I have no doubt that when we get to 2020, wherever that will be, WTF Taekwondo will have evolved even further and we will be in a very good place.”
As for what sport would be added to the Games, Tranter admitted it was a ‘tough’ decision to make.
“Is another combat sport now more viable because wrestling was the one shortlisted to be removed, or will it be a new type of sport?” He said.
“I wouldn’t like to second guess where the IOC will end up on this one. Playing a role in the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ is a real privilege for whichever new sport gets to the finish line in first place.”
{jcomments on}