Statement from the Finnish and Norwegian Taekwondo Federations on the Russian aggression in Ukraine

20.3.2023

We, Finnish Taekwondo Federation and Taekwondo WT Section of the Norwegian Martial Arts Federation, were glad World Taekwondo was among the first IFs to condemn the unlawful attack of Russia to Ukraine and Belarus’s support for the aggression, and decided not to permit any Russian or Belarusian athletes to participate in World Taekwondo evens. In addition, World Taekwondo’s help to bring Ukrainian athletes to the Goyang 2022 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships was greatly appreciated by us. This showed great solidarity for athletes who had to flee their country in fear of their lives.

Sadly, the brutal war waged by Russia still rages on. While the International Olympic Committee considers allowing to Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international events, we fervently hope World Taekwondo stands firm in its decision keep the ban ongoing.

For years, World Taekwondo’s vision has been “Peace is More Precious than Triumph”. This is a moment that tests whether the vision holds. If Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials are welcomed back to international events, under their own flags or neutral flags, the vision will have been for nothing. Now it’s time to stand strong in our support for the people of Ukraine.

As our respective Olympic Committees have stated:

  1. The situation with the war in Ukraine has not changed.
  2. Therefore, we stand firm in our position, not to open for Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international sports participation.
  3. Now is not the right time to consider their return; that is our position.

This statement has been approved by the Presidents of the following organizations:

The Finnish Taekwondo Federation
Mr. Kari Sirviö

Norwegian Martial Arts Federation, Taekwondo WT Section:
Ms. Maria Erenskjold