HAMMAMET, Tunisia (April 4, 2018) - The World Taekwondo Council today approved the Hammamet Declaration, which included a commitment to ensuring safe sport by taking all relevant measures for the prevention of injury and protection of athletes from all types of abuse.

 

The declaration stated that World Taekwondo will act in “in full compliance with the IOC Toolkit for safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sport, and will continue to enhance its policies and regulations for safety and health of athletes.” In addition, the declaration also stated that World Taekwondo would “ensure taekwondo serves as a tool to give hope to every corner of the world.” World Taekwondo will continue to expand its ‘World Taekwondo Cares’ in order to fulfill its missions of sport development.

 

The declaration was approved during the Council’s meeting in Hammamet, Tunisia ahead of tomorrow’s World Taekwondo General Assembly. Speaking following the meeting, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said:

 

“The safety of our athletes is our number one priority and the approval of the Hammamet Declaration reflects our commitment to do as much as possible to ensure safe sport. We recognize that a declaration is not enough; we must now turn words into actions. A review of our existing policies is already underway and we will be implementing new measures over the coming months, in line with the guidance provided by the IOC.”

 

During the Council meeting, there was also the approval of Sofia, Bulgaria as the host city of the 2020 World Taekwondo Junior Championships and Istanbul, Turkey as the host city of the 2019 World Para Taekwondo Championships. This selection of Bulgaria for 2020 World Taekwondo Junior Championships follows Bulgaria being awarded the 2019 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 3.

 

The number of World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series that can be held each year was also amended so that up to four events can now be held each year.

 

The Council also amended the Standing Procedures for the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series, which was successfully launched at the end of last year:

 

• In 2018, 16 athletes will compete in each weight category
• The top ranked athlete in each weight category, based on their merit points standing in the Grand Slam Champions Series in January 2020, will qualify one quota place each for their NOC for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
• There will not be any replacement quota from the Grand Slam Champions Series, if the first placed athlete on merit points standing is ranked within top five of the same weight division in the WT Olympic Rankings at the end of 2019 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final.
• Qualification for the 2018 competition will be:
  • Seeding #1: The winner of the 2017 Grand Slam Champions Series
  • Seeding #2: The winner of the 2018 Grand Prix Final
  • Seeding #3: The runner up of 2017 Grand Slam Champions Series
  • Seeding #4: The winner of the 2018 Grand Prix Series 4
  • Seeding #5: The winner of the 2018 Grand Prix Series 3
  • Seeding #6: The winner of the 2018 Grand Prix Series 2
  • Seeding #7: The winner of the 2018 Grand Prix Series 1
  • Seeding #8: The winner of the 2018 Qualification Tournament II
  • Seeding #9: The winner of the 2018 Qualification Tournament I
  • Non Seeding Qualified Athletes will be:
    • 2^nd Place of 2018 Qualification Tournament II
    • 2^nd Place of 2018 Qualification Tournament I
    • 3^nd Place of 2018 Qualification Tournament II
    • 3^nd Place of 2018 Qualification Tournament I
    • Recommended athlete by WT Technical Committee
    • Recommended athlete by WT Technical Committee
    • Host Country Place Athlete

At the end of the meeting, the Council Members had a group photo with white card to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.