As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games come to a close, the conspicuous absence of Karate from the event’s program has left fans, athletes, and sports enthusiasts worldwide perplexed and questioning the decision. Many are lamenting the missed opportunity as Karate would have played a highly significant role in the event's success.

The decision to exclude Karate from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games remains shrouded in mystery, as no official reasons were ever publicised. As the Games progressed, it became increasingly clear that there were no justifiable reasons for karate’s exclusion.

On the contrary, now that the Paris 2024 Games are finished, it is clear that its inclusion would have brought several added values to the event. Karate would have contributed to greater freshness and relevance among youth, since Karate resonates strongly with younger audiences, a demographic that is crucial for the continued success and evolution of the Olympic Games.

Moreover, the inclusion of Karate would have created more opportunities for diverse nations, as its global appeal would have allowed more countries the chance to win medals and gain recognition on the world stage.

As France is home to some of the world’s top karate practitioners, a larger showcase of local stars would have also been accomplished. More commercial opportunities may have been presented due to Karate’s broad reach and strong fan base, which offer numerous commercial opportunities for sponsors and brands.

Lastly, karate would have offered a prominent platform to showcase the Olympic values, as the core principles of Karate are deeply rooted in ideals such as respect, honour, and fairness, among others.

The global karate community, along with millions of fans, believe that karate’s inclusion would have completed the event’s success, bringing added excitement, energy, and global engagement. Karate’s spirit, values, and widespread appeal make it a natural fit for the world’s most prestigious sporting event, and its return to the Olympic programme is eagerly anticipated.