Today, in Paris, a WKF delegation led by Antonio Espinos has an appointment with the Paris 2024 OCOG to try to reverse the decision to exclude Karate from the Games. An announcement that continues to shake the world of karate, like England’s Wayne Otto, who feels « a huge frustration », « anger », « a disrespect » in the timing, ensures that « fight will never stop », a « respectful duty ». A strong testimony, as the man is... In short, « never give up » !
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photos : DR
He is not a man, he is a legend. All his champion’s life, punctuated by 9 World titles and 9 European titles, he had dreamt of being in the Olympics. That did not happened. After 40 years of waiting, Wayne Otto finally breathes the Olympic consecration of his sport. But, even before living it, it is withdrawn. Karate will not be at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
« At the moment, I feel a huge amount of frustration, anger and a sense of betrayal. The decision from the IOC not to include karate into the 2024 Olympic Games is very disappointing and feels very much like a slap in the face, with no regards for all the time work and effort that so many people have done in order to make this dream a reality.
I have been in this sport for nearly 40 years both as an athlete and now as a coach. I was given the dream that one day Karate could be an Olympic sport as far back as 1985.
During the height of my career, I accumulated no less than 9 World titles and 9 European titles however the dream of being Olympic champion was always at therefore front of my ambitions.
Sadly this was not to be for me. It is a heartbreaking realisation to know that the one thing that you want in this life will never be for you and that you must accept this.
Then, to be given the greatest news of all to know that Karate will be an Olympic sport in 2020 was to bring the dream to a reality in so many ways.
In this instance, my dream was alive again, to be given the opportunity to be part of the Olympics even as a coach was still a huge achievement...
The dream had become a reality for both current and future Karate athletes and they could now become Olympic champions.
« I BELIEVE THAT KARATE HAS BEEN DISRESPECTED »
For karate athletes around the World past, present and future, this was the ultimate prize, the recognition we had been waiting for and a chance to show the World our most fantastic sport.
And to be dismissed from the 2024 Olympic Games, particularly before we have made our appearance in 2020, is not only appalling but also an incredibly inconsiderate manner to treat a sport that is not only globally recognised as one of the most participated forms of martial arts, but also somewhat offensive to the history that the art form stems from. Respect plays a huge part in karate, and I believe Karate has been disrespected.
Our sport is great.... We have survived this long without being an Olympic sport and we may have to survive a little longer but Karate is even more popular now than ever before.
Our World and Continental championships host some of the best and most exciting fighters the sport has ever produced to date and I believe we will continue to do so.
Of course, our fight to become Olympians will never stop, and for the sake of future generations, we must push on... It is our respectful duty ».
