Lee Thiam Poh (Tournament Chairman) and his brother, Lee Thiam Huat, attended a week-long international referee camp held from 29 July 2007 at Woosuk Unity in Jeoju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea to select international referees for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
They had to undergo medical examinations, fitness tests and refereeing skills evaluation.
Said Thiam Poh: “It was quite an experience for me. Although there was nothing new, the revision and practice were useful in the upgrading of my level of refereeing.”
The World Taekwondo Federation organized the camp because they understood the importance of referees in upholding the integrity of taekwondo and in helping the sport remain as an Olympic sport.
Mr Choue Chungwon, WTF President, said in his address to the 190 referees attending the camp: “Fairer judging and refereeing will help bring a more orderly enviornment to the taekwondo competition sites where athletes and coaches will accept the competition results.”
He added: “The success of judging and refereeing at major taekwondo competitions is crucial for taekwodo to retain its status as an official Olympic sport.”