EOC and ETU confirm the first 224 taekwondo athletes to qualify for Kraków-Małopolska 2023
The European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the European Taekwondo Union (ETU) are pleased to confirm that 208 taekwondo athletes have been allocated a place at the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023.
Taekwondo returns to the European Games for the second time, after being part of the inaugural edition at Baku 2015, and the G4 grading of the competition means that ranking points won will help athletes qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Medals will be competed for across eight weight categories for both males and females in Poland between 23 and 26 June, and the top 13 quota places have been confirmed by the ETU and accepted by the relevant National Olympic Committees.
Athletes not yet selected, and whose NOCs who have not obtained a quota place, can fight for a spot at the European Games at a qualification tournament in Romania from 8-9 April, with more details to be announced later this week.
There is also a spot in each weight category reserved for a Polish athlete and a Universality place, which will be awarded nearer the Games.
ETU President Sakis Pragalos said: “We are very grateful that the European Olympic Committees have welcomed Taekwondo back into the programme.
“I wish to congratulate all athletes and their NOCs who have already secured a place for these prestigious Games.
“For our athletes, it means that with the G4 ranking, valuable points can be won for the Olympic qualification on the way to Paris 2024.
“I wish the EOC and the NOCs best of luck in the preparation of the Games.”
Hasan Arat, Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023, said: “Congratulations to all the athletes whose places at this summer’s European Games in Krakow have been confirmed by the ETU.
“We are delighted to welcome the sport of taekwondo back into the European Games and know that it will provide plenty of excitement for all the fans watching both in the arena and on television.
“I want to thank President Pragalos and the ETU for their hard work and cooperation as we prepare for the Games and I look forward to welcoming both them and their athletes to Krakow in June.”