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| World Taekwondo's demonstration team performs in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, in this 2018 file photo. Courtesy of World Taekwondo |
By Hwang Dong-hee
World Taekwondo (WT) has officially recognized "Athletica Vaticana ― Vatican Taekwondo" as the latest member of the international federation of the sport.
Vatican Taekwondo was admitted as WT's 211th member through an electronic vote at its general assembly (Nov. 16-22).
WT is one of the only two international sports federations of which the city state is a member.
The Union Cycliste Internationale, the international cycling union, was the first to include Vatican City in September.
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| World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won delivers an honorary 10th-dan black belt, along with a taekwondo uniform, to Pope Francis, in this 2017 file photo. Courtesy of World Taekwondo |
WT has developed a close relationship with the Vatican in recent years as the two share a passion and commitment to promoting peace.
In 2016, a WT demonstration team performed during the opening event in the city for its first Global Conference on Faith & Sport.
The following year, WT President Choue Chung-won visited the city, where he gave Pope Francis an honorary 10th-dan black belt as a present.
Moreover, at the invitation of the Holy See, the demonstration team staged a historic performance for thousands of people during the weekly papal appearance at St. Peter's Square, in 2018.
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| The Federazione Italiana Taekwondo has partnered with Saint Pius X Institute to organize a taekwondo course for the students in 2020. Courtesy of World Taekwondo |
"Taekwondo is a universal language, it does not matter what your religion or beliefs are; where you are from, or who you are; we are all united through taekwondo," Choue said as he welcomed Athletica Vaticana to the "global taekwondo family."
"The Vatican and WT share many common values and we strongly believe in the power of sports to promote respect, friendship and peace."
Giampaolo Mattei, the President of Athletica Vaticana ― Vatican Taekwondo said the admission will help encourage "inclusion of people" through solidarity.
Also, in a letter of support for the Vatican's membership, Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said he hopes Athletica Vaticana and WT "can contribute to the common good of society by spreading moral and physical strength, self-discipline, overcoming one's limits, respect for others and the joy of life ― which are values of taekwondo."
Hwang Dong-hee is a Korea Times intern.
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