The World Taekwondo Federation (‘WTF’) has issued its Qualification System for the London Olympic Games. The Qualification System is approved by the International Olympic Committee (‘IOC’).

Under the Qualification System, quota places are allocated to the respective National Olympic Committees (‘NOCs’). The Qualification System was recently revised to require both the NOC and NF to enter athletes in the WTF World Taekwondo Qualification Tournament (July 2011) or the Continental Taekwondo Qualification Tournaments (September 2011 – January 2012). As provided for in the Olympic Charter, the IOC has confirmed that in the absence of a recognised National Federation - as is the case in Australia – the NOC (the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)) is the only entity with the authority to enter Australian athletes in qualification tournaments.

The AOC Olympic Team Selection By-law requires the Australian Olympic Team’s Nomination and Selection Criteria for the Olympic Games be submitted to the AOC by the relevant National Federation and approved by the AOC prior to it being made available to athletes.
At this time, the sport of Taekwondo does not have a National Federation recognised by the AOC. In October 2009, the AOC resolved that Taekwondo Australia (‘TA’) should be recognised subject to TA’s membership of the WTF.

The WTF did not accept TA as a member but instead accepted Sports Taekwondo Australia (‘STA’) as the member of the WTF for sport of Taekwondo in Australia.
As a result, there is no current pathway for qualification or nomination of Taekwondo athletes by a National Federation to the AOC for selection and entry to the London Olympic Games.

It is important that athletes do not have any false expectations from statements that may have been made by either STA or TA leading them to believe that they may follow a path for nomination to the London Olympic Games which is not available to them.

The AOC has had further discussions with the IOC and the IOC has advised the AOC that the only entity the AOC can consider for membership is STA given its recognition by the WTF. This advice means the AOC will now proceed to consider STA’s application for membership..

In the interim (while considering STA’s membership application), the AOC has received a draft 2012 Nomination Criteria from TA and awaits STA’s revised 2012 Nomination Criteria.

The AOC will work to develop a 2012 Nomination Criteria that ensures all Australian taekwondo athletes (irrespective of membership affiliation to date) will be provided with a fair and open process for qualification, nomination and selection to the 2012 Australian Olympic Team to compete in London 2012. Consistent with the AOC’s Olympic Team Selection By-Law, the AOC requires that athletes have sufficient advanced notice of any selection events that may be considered as part of the nomination process. Accordingly, the AOC will NOT give regard to any selection events held prior to it’s approval of the 2012 Nomination Criteria.

The AOC will not be making further comment on the matter at this time.

Craig Phillips
Secretary General
Australian Olympic Committee

Issued 1 October 2010
Amended 2 December 2010
Amended 10 December 2010
Amended 23 February 2011