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Olympic Taekwondo

The WTF is the sole source for taekwondo's inclusion in the Olympic Games. Therefore, the WTF has designated governing bodies that function to promote taekwondo as an Olympic sport. There are two levels of these groups. The first are the larger administrative bodies that oversee entire continents. They are the Africa Taekwondo Union (AFTU), the Asia Taekwondo Union (ATU), the European Taekwondo Union (ETU), and the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU). Under the direction of these associations are the national governing bodies that oversee Olympic-style taekwondo competitions and organize national teams.

To participate in any sanctioned Olympic-style event, a taekwondo practitioner must become a member of the organization in his or her country that has been established for this purpose.

Independent Organizations

Many countries around the world have seen the rise of independent taekwondo organizations. These independent groups are commonly founded with the premise that their organizers do not wish their curriculum to be governed by an overseer association. As a result, the majority of these associations are not formally affiliated with either of the two primary governing bodies and are not formally associated with any of the original Korean kwans. Thus, all of their rank and instructor certifications are wholly organization-based.