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OLYMPICTIONARY
Taekwondo is an ancient sport that began in Korea 2,000 years ago. The Sydney games will be the first time Taekwondo will be part of the Olympics. In Taekwondo, athletes fight using their hands and feet. If you watch a match, you will see that the athletes kick very, very fast.
The two athletes that compete in each game are called "Hong" and "Chung." So that they don't get hurt, they wear protective clothing including a head guard, body protector, forearm and shin guards. Chung is the athlete wearing blue protective clothing and Hong is the athlete wearing red protective clothing.
Taekwondo athletes fight in four different groups based on their body size. It wouldn't be fair if a really big person fought a really small person, after all. Athletes win points by hitting the other athlete.
Ones to Watch: Keep a watchful eye on the Korean team, which won last year's World Championships. Look especially for Korea's Jong-Il Yoon and China's Wang Su.
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