The International Olympic Committee has voted to keep taekwondo as an official event in the 2012 Summer Games.

In its general assembly in Singapore Friday, the IOC also retained archery, but eliminated baseball and softball.

The number of ballots was not disclosed to prevent controversy over the result.

Since taekwondo may face another retention vote in 2009 for the 2016 Summer Games, Seoul is expected to continue lobbying to expand the sport's support base worldwide.

The martial art made its Olympic debut in the 2000 Sydney Games Olympics in eight divisions.