Taekwondo as an Olympic Sport

Exciting Modern Sport

The Olympic sport of Taekwondo emphasizes sparring while the traditional Martial Art of Taekwondo concerns poomse (forms), proper techniques in kicking and punching and personal development of skill and character in addition to sparring. Still, the development of the Olympic Sport of Taekwondo has been very exciting to witness.

Tae Kwon Do had a large following before it became an Olympic sport, mostly through tournaments and other such events. In fact, Tae Kwon Do was not introduced in America until the early 1950s, and even at that time it was still not as well known as Karate. Since then it has gained tremendous popularity, and is now the most practiced martial art in the world.

The sport and art of Tae Kwon Do had been practiced all over the world, mostly through the traditional schools of Tae Kwon Do. Finally it was introduced as a sport in the Olympics in 1988 and 1992, but it was only a demonstration sport at the time. However, the martial art of Judo had been part of the Olympics long before Tae Kwon Do arrived on the scene.

Finally in the 2000 Sidney Olympics it became an official medal sport, and the US won several gold medals at the event. The Olympic sport of Tae Kwon Do continues to draw fans and competitors from all over the world and will continue to do so for many years to come.