World Taekwondo has announced it revoked Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s honorary 9th dan black belt that was given to him in November 2013.
World Taekwondo is the international federation governing the sport of taekwondo and is a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
World Taekwondo strongly condemns the brutal attacks on innocent lives in Ukraine, which go against the World Taekwondo vision of “Peace is More Precious than Triumph” and the World Taekwondo values of respect and tolerance.
In this regard, World Taekwondo has decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan black belt conferred to Mr. Vladimir Putin in November 2013.
In solidarity with the International Olympic Committee, no Russian or Belarusian national flags or anthems will be displayed or played at World Taekwondo events. World Taekwondo and the European Taekwondo Union will not organise or recognise Taekwondo events in Russia and Belarus.
World Taekwondo’s thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a peaceful and immediate end to this war.
World Taekwondo also stated that no Russian or Belarusian national flags or anthems will be displayed or played at the organization’s worldwide events. It will also not ‘organise or recognise’ Taekwondo-related events in both Russia and Belarus.