The China Boxing and Taekwondo Administration Centre (CBTAC) vice-director, Chang Jianping, said that the organisation's director was taken away for investigation a week ago.

The Chinese Sports Ministry claim not to know the reasons for the arrest, whilst the Beijing Times have claimed that economic irregularities were being blamed for his questioning.

"I was just informed one week ago when he was taken away that he would be investigated," said Chang.

"But I really don't know the true reason."

Zhao, 51, who speaks fluent English and Russian, has been involved in the sport since the 1980s, and has seen China claim gold in every Olympic Games since its inauguration in 2000.

He is also a member of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Judges Commission and has officiated during three Olympic Games.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]