The President of the International Olympic Committee -IOC-, Kirsty Coventry, held her first official meeting on Tuesday in Lausanne with the President of World Taekwondo -WT-, Chungwon Choue. The encounter, held at IOC headquarters, aimed to strengthen institutional cooperation under the IOC’s new leadership.

The meeting was also attended by WT Secretary General Jeongkang Seo and the newly appointed IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey. Discussions focused on key areas of collaboration between the two organizations, with particular emphasis on gender equality, social inclusion, and the reinforcement of sports structures at the international level.

Gender equality and inclusion at the core of the agenda

The WT President highlighted the federation’s commitment to gender balance, pointing to equal representation among referees at the Olympic Games. He also underscored initiatives related to health and well-being, as well as humanitarian projects run by the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, designed to support refugees and displaced persons through sport.

In parallel, Choue shared insights into the growing popularity of taekwondo in Africa, where WT will organize two continental championships in November and December. He stressed the federation’s long-standing efforts to build the capacity of African national associations, consolidating a sustained model of cooperation and growth.

Institutional recognition and prospects for future collaboration

“President Coventry was impressed by what World Taekwondo has done so far and by the exciting prospects for future cooperation,” said Choue after the meeting. The WT President also extended an invitation to the IOC President to attend one of the major WT World Championships in 2026, with the aim of enhancing the sport’s visibility in the Olympic calendar.

The meeting is part of a broader dynamic of inter-institutional collaboration, seeking to align strategic objectives in governance, inclusion, and sustainability—pillars that remain central to the current Olympic agenda.

Meeting with Thomas Bach at the Olympic Museum

During his stay in Lausanne, Choue also met with IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach at the Olympic Museum. The WT President expressed his gratitude for Bach’s consistent support of both World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, underlining the role of sport in the integration of vulnerable communities.

In this context, Choue invited the Honorary President to attend the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan in 2026, an event that will further showcase taekwondo’s humanitarian initiatives on the global stage.