USA Taekwondo has entered a partnership with the US army's World Class Athlete Programme ©USATKD

USA Taekwondo (USATKD) has entered an agreement with the United States army's World Class Athlete Programme which includes sharing facilities in the city of Charlotte.

The WCAP is relocating taekwondo operations to North Carolina's most populous city, and is set to pool resources, knowledge and talent with governing body USATKD.

Soldier-athletes who meet entry requirements for the WCAP's taekwondo programme can train at the USATKD Athlete Academy facilities at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

This is set to provide them with opportunities to train and compete on a national and international level.

USA Taekwondo chief executive Steve McNally said the partnership with the US army WCAP was a
USA Taekwondo chief executive Steve McNally said the partnership with the US army WCAP was a "huge step forward for the unity we need in our sport" ©Getty Images

USATKD chief executive Steve McNally believes the partnership boosts American prospects for their home Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles.

The United States has won a total of nine Olympic medals, including three gold, since taekwondo made its debut at Sydney 2000,

"This is a historic day for taekwondo in the United States and a huge step forward for the unity we need in our sport if we are to have a realistic chance of achieving our long-term goal of entering the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles with a team to truly be proud of," he said.

"Together we can deliver elite-level medals for both Team USA and the US army in taekwondo.

"I can’t think of a better partner to fight shoulder to shoulder with than the United States army.

"We can’t wait to get started."

The US has won three golds, including Anastasija Zolotic at Tokyo 2020, two silvers and five bronzes to sit third on taekwondo's all-time Olympic medals table ©Getty Images
The US has won three golds, including Anastasija Zolotic at Tokyo 2020, two silvers and five bronzes to sit third on taekwondo's all-time Olympic medals table ©Getty Images

WCAP chief Willie Wilson hailed the potential of the partnership with USATKD.

"Today is a monumental day for taekwondo soldier-athletes in the army’s World Class Athlete Programme - the opportunity to train under top coaches and compete with and against the best taekwondo athletes from across the United States," Wilson said.

"Together with USA Taekwondo, we can ensure more soldiers have the opportunity to represent the United States and the army on the world's largest athletic stage - the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Steven López won America's first Olympic gold medal when he triumphed in the 68 kilogram event on the sport's first appearance at Sydney 2000. 

López moved up to 80kg to win a second gold medal at Athens 2004.

The US then had to wait until the re-arranged 2020 Olympics at Tokyo for Anastasija Zolotic became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the 57kg category.