World Karate Federation recently shared with the National Federation Presidents an article regarding the absence of Karate from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Below is Part 1 their article.
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games come to a close, the conspicuous absence of Karate from the event’s program has left fans, athletes, and sports enthusiasts worldwide perplexed and questioning the decision. Many are lamenting the missed opportunity as Karate would have played a highly significant role in the event's success.
The decision to exclude Karate from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games remains shrouded in mystery, as no official reasons were ever publicised. As the Games progressed, it became increasingly clear that there were no justifiable reasons for karate’s exclusion.
On the contrary, now that the Paris 2024 Games are finished, it is clear that its inclusion would have brought several added values to the event. Karate would have contributed to greater freshness and relevance among youth, since Karate resonates strongly with younger audiences, a demographic that is crucial for the continued success and evolution of the Olympic Games.
Moreover, the inclusion of Karate would have created more opportunities for diverse nations, as its global appeal would have allowed more countries the chance to win medals and gain recognition on the world stage.
As France is home to some of the world’s top karate practitioners, a larger showcase of local stars would have also been accomplished. More commercial opportunities may have been presented due to Karate’s broad reach and strong fan base, which offer numerous commercial opportunities for sponsors and brands.
Lastly, karate would have offered a prominent platform to showcase the Olympic values, as the core principles of Karate are deeply rooted in ideals such as respect, honour, and fairness, among others.
The global karate community, along with millions of fans, believe that karate’s inclusion would have completed the event’s success, bringing added excitement, energy, and global engagement. Karate’s spirit, values, and widespread appeal make it a natural fit for the world’s most prestigious sporting event, and its return to the Olympic programme is eagerly anticipated.
Original Article: https://www.wkf.net/news-center-new/paris-2024-karate-the-great-absentee-part-1/2627
Part 2 - Karate’s absence from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games shocked fans, athletes, and the --worldwide sports community. Now that the Games are over, it is clear that its exclusion from the Paris 2024 Games comes even as a greater surprise given the successful debut of the sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where it captured the hearts of millions.
A study conducted by the Institute for Research and Information in Social Science (IRIS) revealed that karate achieved a net reach audience of 48.4 million spectators across 19 analysed markets during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. IRIS, a market-leading research agency, deemed this reach a “success,” underscoring karate’s ability to attract and engage a diverse and global audience, in its first Olympic appearance.
Further supporting karate’s strong performance in the Olympics, a study by Publicis Sport & Entertainment (PSE) placed karate in the median of all Olympic sports during the Tokyo 2020 Games in terms of average audience and consideration of favourite sport among the general public in 83 territories. Additionally, the study highlighted that karate performed better than the average of all the Olympic sports during the Tokyo Games in terms of internet searches and consideration as a favourite sport among younger audiences, demonstrating its appeal to the next generation of sports fans.
Lastly, a comprehensive study by Nielsen Sports commissioned by the WKF highlighted that karate outperformed other martial arts Olympic disciplines in key markets such as France, the United States, and Japan. The sport not only attracted a higher number of core and interested fans during the 2020 Olympic Games but also recorded a higher average audience per broadcast in these regions, further proving its potential as a standout Olympic sport.
In light of karate's remarkable success at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where several studies underscored its strong viewership and global appeal, the decision to exclude karate from the Paris 2024 Games has been even more perplexing, even more so, as this exclusion came before the sport had the chance to fully demonstrate its Olympic potential. Had karate been given the opportunity for a second Olympic appearance, it would have undoubtedly built on its Tokyo 2020 momentum, elevating its status and solidifying its place as a standout sport on the world’s biggest stage.
Part 3 - Karate is a global phenomenon recognised and respected across all five continents. The word "karate" is universally known, representing not only a sport but also a cultural force that has influenced society worldwide. The tremendous popularity and global appeal of the sport make Karate’s exclusion from the Olympic Games even more shocking.
From its widespread practice and strong presence in schools to its portrayal in iconic movies, karate has embedded itself into the fabric of cultures worldwide, reaching people of all ages and backgrounds. The popularity of karate is reflected in the reach of the World Karate Federation (WKF), which boasts 200 national federations spanning every continent. This widespread presence underscores karate's status as one of the most recognizable and widely practised sports disciplines in the world.
The report by market-leading firm KPMG highlighted the vast scale of karate's appeal, estimating that over 100 million people worldwide actively practice and support the sport.
Karate's popularity extends beyond just practitioners. The study conducted by Nielsen Sports across 13 key markets found that over 300 million people are interested in karate. The study concluded that these numbers place karate as the most followed martial arts Olympic discipline. Among those interested in Karate, 47% reported watching karate in the past year, further demonstrating its strong presence in the lives of millions.
Gender Parity: A Unique Feature of Karate
One of karate's standout features and key elements for its popularity is its commitment to gender parity. Karate presents nearly equal participation from male and female athletes in major international events. The 2023 WKF World Senior Championships featured 493 male and 428 female competitors, while the 2024 Karate 1-Premier League events, Karate’s first-class series of international competitions, saw 727 men and 736 women competing.
The gender balance extends beyond participation, with equal prize money, the same competition duration, and even the same competition wear for both genders. Karate's dedication to gender equality sets it apart in the world of sports and contributes to its global appeal.
While Karate continues to extend its presence in every corner of the globe, and karate's legacy of respect, values, and cultural significance continues to inspire generations, its exclusion from the Olympic Games programme remains a mystery and one of the greatest contradictions in the global sports ecosystem.
Part 4 - The global karate community is expressing deep frustration and confusion over the exclusion of karate from the Olympic programme for both Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. Following the many added values of Karate and its status as a popular, successful sport, the decision to remove karate from subsequent Games has left fans, athletes, and sports enthusiasts worldwide perplexed.
The absence of clear reasons for karate’s exclusion only adds to the sense of incongruence felt across the community. Despite the sport’s proven popularity, global reach, and unique appeal, the decision remains shrouded in mystery, leaving many to question the rationale behind this move.
Global Athletes Rally for Karate’s Olympic Inclusion
Athletes from around the world have voiced their strong support for karate's rightful place in the Olympic programme.
“It is true that Karate is not (in the Games), it is true that it is unfair but as in any competition when you don't achieve your objectives, fairly or unfairly, the only way forward is to keep working, improving and proving that we deserve to be there (in our right place)", said Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Sandra Sanchez on social media.
“I strongly criticize the decision that was taken,” said Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and France’s biggest star Steven Dacosta. “Allow me to remind you that it was Paris 2024 who should have fought to keep Karate in the programme. They didn’t. Los Angeles 2028 has far exceeded the number of athletes imposed by the IOC. They fought for their sports, to put disciplines that count in their country and that will bring them medals! (President of Paris 2024) Tony Estanguet didn't fight. He did nothing for us... NOTHING!”
“I hope that one day all young Karateka will have the chance to experience the same life-changing opportunity that shaped my tomorrow,” said Olympic Games bronze medallist Ariel Torres of the United States.
“As we look back on that incredible milestone (of karate’s Olympic debut), I hold onto the hope that it was just the beginning and that there will be many more opportunities for karate to shine on the Olympic stage in the future,” said Olympic Games bronze medallist Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong.
The fact that karate was not included in Paris 2024, despite France being one of the biggest powerhouse nations in the sport, and in Los Angeles 2028, where karate is the most popular martial art, underscores the confusion surrounding this decision.
Adding to the controversy, karate stands as the only sport present in all five continental games of the Olympic cycle—European Games, Asian Games, African Games, Pan American Games, and Pacific Games—that is not part of the Olympic programme. This inconsistency has only deepened the sense of incongruence within the global karate community.
World Karate Federation (WKF) President Antonio Espinós has voiced the collective disappointment and determination of the karate community:
"Karate, with its global popularity, appeal among youth, commercial potential, and unwavering commitment to gender parity, is a sport that embodies, like any other, the spirit of the Olympics. The global karate community remains steadfast in our belief that the natural place for karate is within the Olympic Games, and we sincerely hope that the incongruence we suffered in Paris 2024 and LA 2028 will be corrected for Brisbane 2032, if not sooner.
“We call upon the IOC and the organizing committees to provide the transparency and clarity they often champion and to clearly state what criteria karate must meet to be part of the Olympic programme. To the IOC and the local organizing committees of the Olympic Games, we demand: What else must Karate do to be finally included in the Olympics?”
As the world reflects on the success of Paris 2024, the exclusion of karate remains a glaring contradiction. The karate community will continue to advocate for its rightful place in the Olympic programme, confident that the sport’s value and appeal will eventually be acknowledged on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
