Taekwondo here to stay, says world chief

By Peter Rutherford

SEOUL (Reuters) - Taekwondo could face the chop from the Olympic program after 2012, but the martial art's world governing body has no doubt its place is secure for years to come.

Choue Chungwon, president of the World Taekwondo Federation, told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that the sport was changing to appeal to a wider audience and that he was confident it would survive a review of the Olympic program next year.

Baseball and softball were removed from the program for London 2012, reducing the number of core sports to 26, and that figure is set to fall to 25 core sports by the 2020 Games.

Taekwondo is thought to be among those at risk, with baseball and softball pushing hard for reinclusion. Karate, rugby and golf are also vying to become part of the Olympic program.

"I think we are very safe," said Choue.

"If taekwondo continues to do well within the Olympic program it should remain an Olympic sport forever.

"We count about 60-70 million taekwondo practioners worldwide, and in many areas of the Middle East, Africa and South America it is the second most popular sport behind soccer."

Choue acknowledged some of the criticism directed at taekwondo from past Olympics -- inconsistent judging, lackluster fights that were instant turnoffs for TV audiences, and a scoring system that baffled spectators.

However, significant progress had been made in promoting transparency in judging and refereeing through seminars and conference, while efforts to make the bouts more exciting would be looked at post Beijing, said the WTF chief.

'GIFT TO THE WORLD'

Taekwondo is Korea's traditional martial art but the country has no monopoly on medals, winning only five of the 16 golds up for grabs since it debuted as an official sport in Sydney 2000.

And nothing could please Choue more.

"The Korean people want to win the most taekwondo gold medals in Beijing, but it should be the best athlete no matter his nationality that wins," he added.

"I try to stress to the public, taekwondo is Korea's gift to the world."

Choue, president of the WTF since 2004, outlined his vision as to how taekwondo and other Olympic sports could be used as a vehicle to create peace and help development in needy nations.