Lee, owner of U.S. Taekwondo Center in 'Aina Haina, filed a $1 million federal lawsuit on July 28 against the sport's governing body — the U.S. Taekwondo Union — and the U.S. Olympic Committee, claiming he was removed because of his Korean heritage. The suit seeks reinstatement in time for the Olympic Games, as well as unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

"He's handling it as well as it could be for him," said Lee's attorney, Ward D. Jones of Bervar & Jones. "It's stressful to manage his school and be an instructor."

Jeff Benz, general counsel of the USOC, denied Lee's allegations and said the USOC has no intention of reinstating him.

The Olympics start Aug. 13, with taekwondo scheduled to begin competition Aug. 26.

The U.S. Taekwondo Union in Colorado Springs, Colo., approved Lee as head coach in March 2003 and later sent him to Athens on a site visit. The USOC, also located in Colorado Springs, approved Lee's nomination as coach in October.

In February, a new management group appointed by the USOC assumed control of the union to clean up years of alleged fiscal mismanagement and misappropriation of money by the union.

The group reevaluated the coach selection criteria and suggested Lee be replaced. Lee was removed from his position in April.

Jean Lopez was appointed as head coach and Chul Ho Kim as his assistant in July. They coach the only two U.S. athletes to qualify for the Games. Lopez is the brother and coach of Steven Lopez, a 2000 gold medalist, and Kim coaches Nia Abdallah.

The team finished a four-day mini training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last week and is currently training in Salina, Malta.

Lee, a nine-time U.S. national champion and four-time gold medalist at the Pan American Games, claims he is more qualified for the position. The Moanalua High and University of Hawai'i alum coached the U.S. Pan American team last year, and was an uncertified coach on the 2000 Olympic team.