The Medical University of Lublin in Poland hosted a grand opening ceremony for the 38th European Taekwon-Do Championships organised by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), as well as the 29th European Junior Championships and the inaugural European Pre-Junior Championships.

ITF President Paul Weiler welcomed the participants and thanked the organisers for their help in bringing the event, which for the first time included pre-juniors (aged 12-14), to Lublin. In a festive atmosphere, the stands were filled with athletes and spectators. Various nations awaited the official presentation, singing songs and performing "Mexican waves" while the Italian delegation led the chants. 

In addition to the opening of the three competitions, there were also presentations of board members, referees, athletes and para-athletes from the international taekwondo family.

In attendance were university and local officials, as well as ITF officials at European and world level, and taekwondo grandmasters and masters. The celebrations began with local songs and traditional Polish dances, followed by a parade of participating delegations. Acrobatic dancers accompanied the music, alternating with formal speeches by officials and organisers.

There was also time to honour grandmasters and prominent figures from the world of taekwon-do and adaptive taekwon-do, who received ovations in the Sports and Entertainment Hall of the Medical University of Lublin.

Representatives from more than 30 European countries listened as the officials alternated between English and Polish, expertly translated by the official announcer.

Video messages were played from officials who were unable to attend, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the work that had gone into making this event possible. A total of 839 athletes from 33 countries will compete for medals in the disciplines of pattern, individual and team sparring, set sparring, special breaking techniques and power breaking. 

The action will take place from 9am to 5pm each day from Thursday, with the finals on Sunday, and will be streamed live on the official ITF YouTube channel.