IOC Co-Hosts Joint Korean Demonstration

(ATR) Sport as a vehicle for diplomacy was exhibited in a joint taekwondo demonstration performance by North and South Korean athletes Thursday in Lausanne.

The historic event brought together leaders and athletes representing World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation, the South and North Korean-led governing bodies, which divided in 1972 due to rising political turmoil on the Korean Peninsula.

The collaboration raises hope that the two federations, and two countries, will mend differences and unite as one Olympic governing body in the near future.

"Taekwondo is opening sports between North and South Korea, especially in 2017, when there was a lot of tension between North and South and also the regional political situations," WT president Chungwon Choue tells Around the Rings.

"We invited them to Muju, Korea, to attend the world taekwondo championships and several other ITF demonstrations in other cities.

"This is really enhancing and really supporting the change of the mood of dialogue between the North and South.

"Hopefully, in the future we will meet each other and unite taekwondo, ‘One World, One Taekwondo.’" However, Choue admitted it will take some time.

The event, which was attended by IOC president Thomas Bach, brought together Choue and ITF president Ri Yong Son along with secretary general Kim Sung Hwan.

"We have a promising future," Son said. "We are on the right direction, working together."

Bach congratulated taekwondo for its 25 years as an Olympic sport. The sport attained Olympic status at the 1993 IOC Session in Paris and made its debut at the Sydney 2000 Games.

"Your contribution to the Olympic Movement is going beyond providing a great sports program to the Olympic Games," Bach said.

Bach referred to the two governing bodies first agreeing to a milestone memorandum signed at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in August 2014.

"This had encouraged me very much to start and to enhance our project, our plans and discussions with the National Olympic Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and to support their athletes, which finally resulted in the joint march and joint teams in PyeongChang," Bach said.

"Taekwondo was paving the way and showing that sport has the power to build bridges and break walls down.

"This shows your great commitment to use this power of taekwondo for building understanding and for helping to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond."

After the opening speeches by the three presidents - including the taekwondo leaders presenting Bach with a black belt - thrilling, high-adrenaline performances ensued.

The North Korean group of male and female athletes took to the floor first followed by their South Korean counterparts, before the two groups concluded the demonstration together in a brief, honorary performance.

Splintered wood flew and bricks were broken as the taekwondo specialists flipped and twisted through the air to rapturous applause. The acrobatic performances were also artistic and well-choreographed at times, including segments dedicated to gender equality and female self-defense. A performance to the music of Carmen’s Ava Maria was especially touching.

Wide-ranging demonstrations in tempo, tone and style entertained and impressed the sport leaders, federation officials, IOC members and representatives, media and guests.

Like the divided Koreas, taekwondo shares the same roots by is now separated by the varying WT and ITF styles. The WT, headquartered in Seoul, is currently the official international taekwondo governing body recognized by the IOC. The ITF and WT operate with a different set of rules.

The two international taekwondo bodies agreed in principle to establish a joint organization for their integration on November 2, 2018, after conducting discussions in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

Choue said the day’s festivities were another encouraging sign towards a potential joint North and South Korea bid for the 2032 Olympics.

"It’s not just a dream – I think we can make it," Choue said. "Taekwondo will be the key to open the dialogue between North and South, why not, so 2032 Olympics between Pyongyang and Seoul will be fantastic if we can realize.

"I hope and believe we have a very bright future."

The North Korean ITF president was more cautious with his words, when questioned about a joint 2032 bid.

"I am a taekwondo president, I have nothing to do with the other sports, so I don’t know exactly and have no plan," Son tells ATR.

"Everybody wishes for this, sports takes a lead in this, so we are doing our best," said the North Korean taekwondo leader.

The WT and ITF joint demonstration performances continue Friday with visits to the United Nations Office in Geneva and the International Telecommunications headquarters where the World Summit on the Information Society Forum is ongoing.

Written by Brian Pinelli in Lausanne

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