Taekwondo at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, Team USA stars, what else to know

Here's what you need to know about taekwondo at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

When did taekwondo become an Olympic sport?

Taekwondo was a demonstration sport at the Seoul Games in 1988 and the Barcelona Games in 1992. It made its debut as an Olympic medal sport at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

At the Paris Games, the competition will be held at the Grand Palais, a steel structure with a glass roof in the heart of Paris.

How does Olympic taekwondo work?

Matches are three rounds, two minutes apiece, and held on an octagonal mat. Before the match begins, the competitors bow at the command of the referee.

Taekwondo calls for a combination of punching and kicking. Moves with a high degree of difficulty – such as head kicks and spinning kicks – result in more points from the judges. The competitor with the most points in the round wins the round, and the competitor who wins two rounds wins the match. The match also can end by knockdown or by disqualification.

The competition will feature 64 women and 64 men.

Who are the top Team USA athletes in taekwondo?

In 2023, CJ Nickolas became the first American since 2009 to win a medal at the world championships when he took silver. He also is a three-time champion at the Pan American Games. He leads a contingent of four athletes who will compete in the martial art.

What’s the international landscape in taekwondo?

Korea is the home of taekwondo, and the Koreans dominate the competition. South Korea leads all countries in overall medals with 22 and gold medals with 12. The U.S. ranks third in gold medals three and overall medals with 10.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taekwondo at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, what to know