New Foundation launched to increase activities
• Program teaches taekwondo and Olympic values
• Financial support and equipment provided
• Record number of countries join taekwondo family

22 September, 2009 – As the popularity of taekwondo increases worldwide, a record number of about 140 nations will take part in the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships in three weeks’ time. The sport is growing particularly fast in developing, highly populated countries, aided by the educational activities and practical support of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The WTF Taekwondo Peace Corps, launched only last year by WTF President Chungwon Choue, has already sent 107 volunteers to teach taekwondo and the Olympic values to disadvantaged young people in 25 countries including Angola, Bhutan, China, India and Mexico. WTF also provides financial support and equipment.

The Taekwondo Peace Corps Foundation was recently launched with the aim of sending more people to more countries over a longer period. Mr. Hyu-wonLee is appointed as President and Dr.Choue serves as Chairman.

In addition, the first World Youth Taekwondo Camp held in Korea last month (August 2009) brought together hundreds of athletes and officials from 33 countries, introducing them to the Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP).

President Choue said: “The Taekwondo Peace Corps will spearhead the effort to develop taekwondo into becoming more than merely a sport, a tool to contribute to world peace and inspire hopes and dreams from young people around the world.

“Taekwondo teaches youth about justice, morality, respect, cooperation, love for one another and fair play. Through meditation and training, young people learn virtues such as self-reflection, selfdiscipline, confidence, courtesy, patience, and respect for others, especially for parents and elders.

“The Taekwondo Peace Corps is just the beginning. Inspired by our experiences, I have proposed developing a ‘Sports Peace Corps’ program to expand the initiative globally and to involve all the other Olympic sports in cooperation with organizations such as the International Olympic Committee and United Nations’ institutions. This would further promote the Olympic ideal and offer chances to young people from a wider range of countries.”

The WTF educational activities are part of innovative and comprehensive reforms put in place during the past five years under the leadership of President Choue.

Taekwondo is practised by some 70 million people worldwide and this is expected to rise to 100 million in the not-too-distant future. WTF has a global membership of 189 countries, ranking it in the top ten of international sports federations, with a goal of 200 member countries.

The World Championships will take place from 14-18 October in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For further information/images, please contact:

Jean-Marie Ayer
WTF Office
Maison du Sport International
Avenue de Rhodanie 54
CH-1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 601 50 13
Mobile: +41 79 222 93 18
Fax: +41 21 601 59 83
Email: wtf-lausanne@bluewin.ch