USA Taekwondo announced on Tuesday the appointment of legendary South Korean taekwondo athlete Daehoon Lee as coach of the U.S. National Team. The two-time Olympic medalist and three-time world champion will bring his extensive elite-level experience to strengthen the U.S. program ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Daehoon Lee, considered one of the most dominant competitors in the history of taekwondo, represented the Republic of Korea throughout his athletic career. His achievements include two Olympic medals, three world titles, and 12 Grand Prix victories, establishing him as an iconic figure in the sport for more than a decade.
Since retiring from international competition, Lee has worked as a coach with elite athletes in South Korea. Now, his addition to Team USA’s coaching staff marks a strategic move for the governing body of taekwondo in the United States, which seeks to maximize its medal prospects on home soil during the 2028 Olympics—the first on U.S. soil to include taekwondo as an Olympic medal sport—and extend the cycle through to Brisbane 2032.
Lee will join the national coaching staff at the USA Taekwondo training facility located at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, once the necessary visa procedures have been completed. His contract covers both Olympic cycles (Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032), reflecting a long-term commitment to the program’s development.
Steve McNally, CEO of USA Taekwondo, expressed his enthusiasm for the news: “We are thrilled to welcome Daehoon to Team USA. Daehoon is one of the greatest competitors our sport has ever seen. He brings world-class technical expertise, Olympic experience, and a deep understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level. With the 2028 Games taking place on home soil in Los Angeles, having a coach of his caliber working with American athletes and coaches is a game-changer for the program as we look toward the LA Olympics and beyond.”
For his part, Daehoon Lee shared his motivation in a personal message: “I am deeply honored to join Team USA and work with American athletes as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The LA Games represent a special opportunity for the United States, and I am committed to helping Team USA athletes reach their peak performance on home soil. I look forward to being part of this journey.”
With this addition, U.S. taekwondo is taking a decisive step toward its goal of shining at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where the presence of a legend like Daehoon Lee could make all the difference in preparing the next generation of champions.
