The World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF) has made an official statement on yesterday’s exclusion of Karate from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Statement from the WUKF following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ratification of Paris 2024 Games event programme:
“As members of the global Karate community, the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF) and its affiliated members are saddened by the exclusion of Karate at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
“This is disappointing to Karate enthusiasts who have had dreams of representing their country and Olympic level in the sport we all love. Sport Karate is diverse with many federations practicing worldwide.
“The Olympic Karate proposal promoted by the World Karate Federation (WKF) has been rejected and that is something which should be considered carefully by all who care about our art and sport.
“As a major worldwide Sport Karate body, the WUKF stands ready to work alongside all international federations to ensure that any future dialogue on Karate in the Olympic Games places inclusivity and universality at the heart of any proposal. We will instigate these discussions in due course.
“We believe that participation in Karate should be free from political discrimination and open to everyone regardless of background.
“Olympism promotes the highest values of sport, culture, education and international cooperation. This should be the bedrock of any effort to gain Olympic recognition for Karate.”
