#ICYMI: Taekwondo Term Limits Scrutinized; Flame of Peace in Belarus; US Soccer Boss

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ATR First: Choue Taekwondo Term Limit Scrutinized in Governance Shake-Up

World Taekwondo is considering term limit plans that could force president Chungwon Choue to step aside in 2021.

Choue of Korea was unopposed in winning his fourth four-year term as head of the federation at its 2017 general assembly in Muju, South Korea. He was first elected to the post in 2004, taking over from Un Yong Kim who resigned in the wake of a scandal over misuse of federation funds. By 2021, he will have occupied the taekwondo hot seat for 17 years.

Around the Rings has learned that World Taekwondo’s governance and sustainability committee, led by Giovanni di Cola, is currently drafting a strategy plan which includes introducing term limits for the presidency and council.

It’s part of a major drive to revamp the federation’s governance to lift the taekwondo’s standing in the IOC’s eyes and grow its share of Olympic Games revenues.

Speaking exclusively to ATR in Manchester on the sidelines of the federation’s annual congress, Choue would not be drawn when asked if it was a good time for him to step aside in 2021 when his mandate expires. "I didn’t think about that," he said.

"No, I don’t think so. Before, we are going to have a meeting about the new structure of our governing body. Whatever they decide I’m going to follow," he told ATR.

"It will be decided by our council and general assembly next year so we will see."

Click here to read the rest of the story.

2019 European Games: Flame of Peace Burns in Belarus

The Flame of Peace is on the march in Belarus. The symbol of the 2019 European Games crossed the border from Poland into the host nation May 12.

The flame was lit in Rome May 3 and has since traveled through central Europe, including a stop at Mont Blanc in France.

The Brest Hero Fortress Memorial was the setting for the arrival of the flame in the southwest corner of Belarus.

"We are welcoming it in Brest, the symbolic gate of our Motherland. A long way to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War began from the walls of the Brest Fortress. The Flame of Peace relay will also start its way from here today," proclaimed Igor Petrishenko at the ceremony, reports BelTA.

"On 9 May, thousands of Brest residents and guests marked Victory Day at this sacred place. Today, Brest is welcoming the flame which symbolizes peace and creation, not war and destruction. This is a special honor for the city which is marking its 1,000th birthday this year," Brest Mayor Aleksandr Rogachuk is quoted by the Belarussian news agency.

The torch relay in Brest was launched by the 100m women's gold medalist from the 2004 Olympics, Yulia Nestsiarenka. The sprinter handed the flame to her coach Viktor Yaroshevich.

Carlos Cordeiro: 'Total Support' to US Women's Team

The president of the United States Soccer Federation, Carlos Cordeiro, confirmed his "total support" for the national women's team with less than a month to go before the World Cup in France.

Cordeiro's statements to Around the Ringscome at a time when members of the US women's team have filed a lawsuit against the federation for gender discrimination.

"We have every confidence that our USWNT players will be relentless in their pursuit of winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer in France." Cordeiro said.

"At the same time, we will work tirelessly to provide our team with everything it needs to compete and win another world championship this summer and maintain the USWNT’s position as the world leader in women’s soccer."

United States, the defending champion from 2015, also won in 1991 (the first edition) and in 1999. Germany (2003 and 2007), Norway (1995), and Japan (2011) complete the gallery of champions.

United States is the only team to have reached the semifinals in every tournament.

The World Cup, which will begin on June 7, will have more than $30 million in prize money to be distributed among the 24 teams.

The amount triples that distributed at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, but FIFA itself has recognized the need to achieve the greatest possible balance in terms of economic compensation in the hope that one day women's football will generate more than men's football.

For now, the men's World Cup generates most of FIFA's $1 billion revenue.

At the end of last season, players' unions from several countries officially expressed their criticism of their national federations and FIFA for what they considered "lack of gender equality".

Cordeiro declined to comment to ATR on the current situation concerning the lawsuit by the US players.

The players filed the suit on March 8 in the District Court in Los Angeles under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alleging unequal pay in comparison to their counterparts in the men's national team.

The national men's and women's national teams of the United States have separate collective bargaining agreements, and their salary is structured differently. But the lawsuit cited several cases of alleged inequality.

In his open letter, Cordeiro mentioned examples to demonstrate that the federation had increased its investment in the women's national team and reiterated that US Soccer and the National Women's Team "continue to be partners with shared goals and aspirations."

Some sources close to the case, consulted by ATR, were not optimistic that a new agreement would be made with the dissatisfied players before the start of the World Cup.

But Cordeiro has insisted that USA Soccer keeps all communication channels open for the players and reiterates the importance of dialogue as a mutual goal to preserve the main focus: to triumph at the World Cup.

For Cordeiro's thoughts on the rebuild of the US men's national team and hosting the 2026 World Cup, click here.

For general comments or questions,click here.

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