For those who still hoped that the IOC would reverse its decision concerning the presence of karate at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the final blade fell this week. Thomas Bach, the IOC president, set the final program for the Games, confirming the presence of breakdance at the expense of Karate.

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : DR

The deadline was known : December 2020. Since February 2019 and the announcement of the exclusion of Karate from the 2024 Olympics, there was very little hope of reversing the IOC’s decision. To do this, politicians, diplomats and sportsmen had to be mobilized, an action symbolized by Belt of Hope. The challenge was high, the goal (very) complicated. Then the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to any initiative.

By confirming the presence of climbing, skateboarding, surfing and, above all, breakdance, the IOC president Thomas Bach put an end to the Olympic story of Karate, unfortunately without much surprise. Let’s hope now that the Tokyo Olympics will take place, which seems to be confirmed week after week.