The impact of the instant video replay session on the contest process in the Taekwondo event at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Based on the IVR (instant video replay) rules of the Paris Olympic taekwondo cycle, this study aimed to investigate (1) whether coaches’ IVR appeals influence contest outcomes, and (2) how specific contest elements affect IVR outcomes. The video recordings of 156 taekwondo contests from the Paris Olympics were analyzed. Variables selected included the contest period, state, round, category, and IVR content. The results showed that, points were awarded after the IVR proposed by the coaches in 85 rounds (44.04% of IVR-involved rounds), subsequently altering contest outcomes. The frequency of appealed IVRs increased per 30-s period in the 2-min contest ( p < 0.05). The distribution of approved and rejected IVRs differed depending on the period (divided into 60-s) during the contest, contest status, contest round, and IVR content ( p < 0.05), but did not depend on the period (divided into 30-s) during the contest or contest category ( p > 0.05). We concluded that IVR significantly impacts the outcome of the taekwondo contests at the Paris Olympics, and coaches are permitted to appeal decisions deemed erroneous to increase the contest's fairness using PSS (Protective System and Scoring) but should also continue to modify the content of the IVR rule.