The World Taekwondo Federation announced host cities for five major events in Bangkok ©WTF

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has announced host cities for five major events.

The venues were confirmed at an extraordinary WTF Council meeting in Thai capital Bangkok, where the organisation also revealed they will soon unveil a new logo.

Russian capital Moscow will host the first leg of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series this year, between August 4 and 6.

It was also agreed that the second leg of the circuit will take place in Moroccan city Marrakech between September 22 and 24.

Egypt will host this year's World Taekwondo Cadet Championships with Sharm-el-Sheik picked as host for the competition between August 23 and 27.

Two events in 2018 have also been awarded to Taiwan's capital Taipei.

The city will stage the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships between November 15 and 18 and the second leg of the Grand Prix season between September 20 and 22.

The new logo will be revealed at the WTF World Championships in Muju in South Korea, which will begin on June 22.

French Guiana was approved as a new member to bring the number of WTF countries up to 208.

WTF President Chungwon Choue spoke of the sport's youth in his welcome speech, and looked ahead to the action in Muju.

IOC member Nat Indrapana was awarded an appreciation plaque ©WTF
IOC member Nat Indrapana was awarded an appreciation plaque ©WTF

"The World Junior Championships in Burnaby, Canada, last November were our biggest World Junior Championships ever, and the quality of our young athletes was superb," said Choue.

"So our sport has a very full talent pipeline.

"The big event this year will be, of course, the Muju World Taekwondo Championships. 

"We expect to welcome more than 200 member national associations, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach will join us for the Closing Ceremony - another great endorsement of taekwondo."

Ten progress reports, including on the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, the World Taekwondo Cares Programme, the 2020 Olympic event modification plans and the WTF's four-year Strategic Plan 2021, were presented to Council members.

Choue honoured Pimol Srivikorn, President of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, for his support of the sport with an appreciation plaque.

Srivikorn has been a WTF Council member since 2012, while Thai IOC member Nat Indrapana also received a plaque for backing the martial art.

Michael Fysentzidis, secretary general of the European Taekwondo Union, was also congratulated after being elected President of the International Olympic Academy.

The next WTF Council meeting will be held on June 22 before the World Championships in Muju.