Movement of the activity to bring the sport of "Muay Thai" to show the virtual competition during the 2024 Olympic Games "Paris 2024" in Paris, France, between July 30 - August 9, 2024 under the promotion of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) led by Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), Stephan Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, joining forces with the French National Olympic Committee and "Buakaw Banchamek", Lieutenant Sombat Banchamek, a 42-year-old world-famous Muay Thai boxer from Samrong Thap District, Surin Province. In addition to the virtual Muay Thai show competition, the said activity also promotes Muay Thai, the performance of Muay Thai drums, and the Wai Khru ceremony according to the correct Muay Thai art and culture, so that athletes and officials from various countries are aware of the art of Muay Thai that originated in Thailand, which is considered an important step to fulfill the dream of Thai people to push for the sport of "Muay Thai" to be included in the Summer Olympic Games in the future. During the event, Muay Thai will be presented in several locations across Paris to showcase Muay Thai as a cultural art, a ring sport and to promote unity, equality and inclusivity. Starting from August 2nd, there will be an Open House at Teddy Reiner Stadium, where a special Muay Thai gym and training field will be built. This is a collaboration between the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) and the French National Muay Thai Federation. Every day, there will be Muay Thai activities and more than 1,500 boxers have registered to be a part of creating great history together. The highlight will be on August 5th and 6th when Muay Thai will take to the main stage in a specially built arena at Club Fanz in Paris, where Muay Thai athletes from 28 countries and over 20,000 spectators will attend. There will also be special performers from around the world, including Muay Thai world champions performing the Wai Khru dance and Muay Thai techniques from Greece, the Philippines, Malaysia and France performing every day. The most important day is August 7th, when there will be a charity seminar, One World One Muaythai, led by Muay Thai superstar Buakaw Banchamek, a 42-year-old world-famous Muay Thai boxer from Surin Province, and other world champions, which will be attended by royalty from around the world, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and important figures to give back to the community. On the afternoon of the same day, IFMA will host a banquet in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at OLY House, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed and several major events that will take Muay Thai to the next level will be announced. In addition, a special World Muay Thai Debate will be held to highlight the development and potential of Muay Thai over the past 30 years in the Olympic Movement, IFMA's vision of protecting the cu ltural heritage of Muay Thai, youth development and protection, education and anti-doping campaigns, and Muay Thai as a sport for all. More than 500 representatives from the Olympic Movement and sport around the world will attend this important debate. Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, IFMA President, said that the 9 days of Muay Thai in the supplementary program of 'Paris 2024' will take Muay Thai to a new dimension. It will demonstrate the close cooperation between IFMA and all the important figures in the Olympics. And Thailand can be very proud that the name of Muay Thai is all over Paris. All of this is a great achievement of IFMA as the only world federation recognized by the IOC. Source: Thai News Agency