WTF expands its offices to Lausanne, Switzerland

In a ceremony, that took place in Maison du Sport International (MSI) and drew IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge, GAISF President Hein Verbruggen, ASOIF President Denis Oswald and many other WTF officials and dignitaries World Taekwondo Federation opened its new office in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

WTF officially opened its Lausanne liaison office in December 1, 2006 with Mr. Jean Marie Ayers, a special assistant to WTF President, serving as the WTF attaché in the liaison office.

The MSI was officially opened on June 23, 2006 in celebration of the Olympic Day and due to its proximity to the IOC headquarters it is considered the most idle place for better communications with the IOC and other International Federations.

Dr. Chungwon Choue, WTF President, started his opening speech by talking about WTF's "New Vision" action program.

"WTF will strengthen the role and function of its new Lausanne offices which will ultimately serve as the global center of the WTF for International relations and Olympic Coordination"

"Under the vision of IOC president Dr. Rogge, WTF strives to take Taekwondo beyond a mere sport and to contribute to world peace and education of the further generation" WTF president continued.

After watching two WTF promotional videos and a demonstration by Taekwondo Grand Masters and some young taekwondo athletes IOC President, Dr. Jacques Rogge, took the podium and praised World Taekwondo Federation for the changes it has gone through in the last few years:

"If I make a comparison, between Sydney 2000 and now, we see a huge change. You have changed what was a rather conservative sport into a very dynamic sport."

He then continued: "I would like to thank WTF for the exemplary collaboration with IOC."

WTF President also pledged to expand solidarity programs for the disabled and to extend Taekwondo Peace Corps programs sponsored by the World Taekwondo federation.

WTF President presented IOC President, Dr. Rogge, with an honoree Dan and then in a ceremonial gesture by 4 presidents a cake was cut by a traditional Korean sword to commemorate the occasion.