WTF Council Meeting Takes Place at Copenhagen, Denmark
A WTF Council meeting was held at the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark on Oct. 11, 2009.
The Council meeting took place two days before the WTF General Assembly, in which elections for WTF officials, including the president will be held.
In his welcoming speech, WTF President Chungwon Choue said, “I am happy to see you all in Copenhagen, the land of inspiration, on the occasion of the 2009 World Taekwondo Championships. This Copenhagen Championships are organized in the biggest scale with participating athletes from over 140 countries and a record coverage by more than 30 TV broadcasters across five continents.”
“This will be a historical event for the sport of taekwondo and a showcase of our efforts to bring change to Taekwondo and WTF throughout our term,” he said. “As you know, this is the last meeting of the council of term 2005-2009 and we will finalize the workings we have pursued during our term, of which many will continue, I hope.”
WTF President Choue said, “I congratulate all of you on your hard work and convey my hearty appreciation to you for your dedication. It has been an extraordinary experience working with you. The progress we brought to the WTF is simply praise worthy.”
“At the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen, which concluded several days ago, a final decision was made on the inclusion of taekwondo in the Olympic program for 2016. Evaluation on taekwondo in the IOC Report on the 26 Core Sports, prepared by the Olympics Programme Commission, was excellent, and was in good standing compared to other Olympic sports,” WTF President Choue said.
“I was very proud and pleased to find this positive evaluation on our sport – I am sure you will feel the same when you read the copies of the report on taekwondo which are in front of you,” he said. “This all proves that all the rumors and negative opinions about the sport of taekwondo that it is in danger of being excluded from the Olympic program are groundless and untrue.”
He said, “Respect for our sport should come from within, in order to be respected by the sport community. In this regard, I will not tolerate any harmful accusation against the sport of taekwondo, the World Taekwondo Federation, and our leadership, especially that comes from the taekwondo circle. I will prepare my next action toward those attempts to damage the image of taekwondo.”
In his closing remarks at the WTF Council meeting, which lasted only 40 minutes, WTF President Choue said, “Although we have brought significant changes and accomplishments, there are many tasks to do. We have to keep reforming and updating our system for a new striking image of taekwondo. We have to keep working efficiently with the international sport community. The next four years will be crucial for the taekwondo and my faith and dedication are at your service.”
“Now it is the right time to bring it to upsurge taekwondo development for the glorious future. It is my firm belief that the driving force of the dedication should be our selfless love for taekwondo, not one’s own glory or interest. Let us do our best as taekwondo family regardless of the election results. For this, let us give ourselves a big hand,” he said.
As a token of his appreciation to the Council members’ dedication, WTF President Choue presented each of the Council members with a plaque of appreciation.
“No matter where you are and what you do, please continue working hard for the WTF and taekwondo,” WTF President Choue concluded.
The Council meeting took place two days before the WTF General Assembly, in which elections for WTF officials, including the president will be held.
In his welcoming speech, WTF President Chungwon Choue said, “I am happy to see you all in Copenhagen, the land of inspiration, on the occasion of the 2009 World Taekwondo Championships. This Copenhagen Championships are organized in the biggest scale with participating athletes from over 140 countries and a record coverage by more than 30 TV broadcasters across five continents.”
“This will be a historical event for the sport of taekwondo and a showcase of our efforts to bring change to Taekwondo and WTF throughout our term,” he said. “As you know, this is the last meeting of the council of term 2005-2009 and we will finalize the workings we have pursued during our term, of which many will continue, I hope.”
WTF President Choue said, “I congratulate all of you on your hard work and convey my hearty appreciation to you for your dedication. It has been an extraordinary experience working with you. The progress we brought to the WTF is simply praise worthy.”
“At the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen, which concluded several days ago, a final decision was made on the inclusion of taekwondo in the Olympic program for 2016. Evaluation on taekwondo in the IOC Report on the 26 Core Sports, prepared by the Olympics Programme Commission, was excellent, and was in good standing compared to other Olympic sports,” WTF President Choue said.
“I was very proud and pleased to find this positive evaluation on our sport – I am sure you will feel the same when you read the copies of the report on taekwondo which are in front of you,” he said. “This all proves that all the rumors and negative opinions about the sport of taekwondo that it is in danger of being excluded from the Olympic program are groundless and untrue.”
He said, “Respect for our sport should come from within, in order to be respected by the sport community. In this regard, I will not tolerate any harmful accusation against the sport of taekwondo, the World Taekwondo Federation, and our leadership, especially that comes from the taekwondo circle. I will prepare my next action toward those attempts to damage the image of taekwondo.”
In his closing remarks at the WTF Council meeting, which lasted only 40 minutes, WTF President Choue said, “Although we have brought significant changes and accomplishments, there are many tasks to do. We have to keep reforming and updating our system for a new striking image of taekwondo. We have to keep working efficiently with the international sport community. The next four years will be crucial for the taekwondo and my faith and dedication are at your service.”
“Now it is the right time to bring it to upsurge taekwondo development for the glorious future. It is my firm belief that the driving force of the dedication should be our selfless love for taekwondo, not one’s own glory or interest. Let us do our best as taekwondo family regardless of the election results. For this, let us give ourselves a big hand,” he said.
As a token of his appreciation to the Council members’ dedication, WTF President Choue presented each of the Council members with a plaque of appreciation.
“No matter where you are and what you do, please continue working hard for the WTF and taekwondo,” WTF President Choue concluded.