Details of the recent selection process for Taekwondo referees at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Paul Timms, the Sport Referee Department Chair, and Darren Naraine, a British Taekwondo Sport Referee Department tutor and chief referee, recently attended the fourth selection camp for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A total of 26 referees (13 male & 13 female) will be selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Taekwondo event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is to be held at the ‘Grand Palais’, considered to be the jewel in the crown of venues at this edition of the Olympic Games.

The selection camp was held In Brussels, Belgium from the 13th to 17th March and saw Paul and Darren put through their paces in a group of 70 referees selected from across the continent of Europe.

Three other camps have been held to select a top 60 pool of referees. These have been held In Azerbaijan (to select Asia & Oceania representatives), Mexico (Pan Am), and Algeria (Africa).

The selection process is considered to be the toughest testing of referees anywhere and at any time in their refereeing careers. The 70 referees were chosen by World Taekwondo during 2021, 2022 and this year, with each of them tested on knowledge of the rules, their ability to manage a match, underwent physical testing and medical examinations. The process culminated in an English verbal test and their knowledge of IVR.

Of the 70 attendees, 16 would be selected (eight male & eight female) for the top 60 pool.

We are pleased to announce that Paul Timms has been selected for the top 60 pool.

Ian Leafe, Chief Executive of British Taekwondo, said “It’s wonderful that Paul has received news that he has been selected to the top 60 pool for selection ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Congratulations on your hard work and good luck in your journey for selection to Paris, we all have everything crossed for you. Commiserations Darren, but to be selected amongst the best from Europe is by itself no mean feat and we all applaud and congratulate you for that.”

Combat Sport Officials

Being a volunteer technical official at competitions is a rewarding way to get involved in the combat sport or stay involved if you are a retiring athlete.

There are plenty of opportunities for participation at the multitude of local competitions and personal progression opportunities from judge, to centre referee, all the way up to international referee.

Find out more about combat sport officials and the progression pathway here.

British Taekwondo’s Sport Referee Department

The department’s role is to coordinate the development of British Taekwondo’s Sport Referees with the objectives of:

• Providing structure and administration to support British Taekwondo referees.
• Establishing a clear pathway from grass roots to elite level.
• Educating, supporting and developing referees at all levels.
• Recruiting new UK referees and increase participation at UK and international events.
• Achieving a high level of respect for British Taekwondo worldwide.
• Enabling athlete high performance.
• Enabling British Taekwondo members to achieve their own personal goals by providing new opportunities in Taekwondo as a referee.

Find out more about British Taekwondo’s Technical Departments here.

Photos: Submitted.

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