[By NBC-1TV K, Y Yi] SEOUL, Korea (25 November 2019) – The 2020 WT Development Guidelines and Anti-discrimination Policy will be among the key items presented for approval at the upcoming World Taekwondo Extraordinary Council Meeting, as the federation continues to protect and enhance its future.

The development of Member Associations is a major strategic priority for World Taekwondo and the approval of the 2020 WT Development Guidelines at the Council meeting on 5 December in Moscow is central in this regard. By supporting the development of Member Associations, World Taekwondo hopes to create an even stronger environment for the sport’s growth at grass roots level and support the enhancement of its elite events. Anti-discrimination and the safeguarding of athletes is of paramount importance to World Taekwondo and the Anti-discrimination Policy reinforces the federation’s commitment to inclusiveness and tolerance.

At its meeting, the Council will also select the host cities for the Grand Prix Series as World Taekwondo continues to enjoy strong interest from cities around the world to host its events. In recent years, World Taekwondo amended its bidding process to make it more flexible to the needs of the host cities and ensure greater dialogue.

With Tokyo 2020 around the corner there will be reports on the taekwondo test events for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as a report on the recently tested competition uniform for the Olympic Games.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said:

“We have a very full agenda at the upcoming Extraordinary Council meeting with many important matters to discuss that will have a direct impact on the future of our sport. Our job on the Council is to ensure that we are constantly adapting and innovating for the benefit of our athletes and our Member Associations. We are committed to ensuring we deliver the very best sport for the Taekwondo Movement and that we make a valuable contribution to the broader Olympic Movement through peace-building and humanitarian initiatives.”

The Council will also review proposed amendments to a number of rules and procedures, including its Finance Rules, Anti-Doping Rules, Medical Code, Ethics Code and Event Operations Rules. The Ethics Code has been amended based on best-practice examples provided by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and includes updates related to conflicts of interests as well as the receiving of gifts, and a corresponding duty of reporting and duty of disclosure.

The Council meeting will take place ahead of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final and Gala Awards in Moscow on 6-7 December.