The president of the International Wushu Federation (IWF) hopes to make the Chinese martial art an Olympic sport, according to reports.

Li Zhijian has applied to the International Olympic Committee to make wushu part of the 2008 Beijing Games, Xinhua news agency said.

"On behalf of the IWF and all the wushu players, I apply for the sport to be included in the Olympic program," Li said in a letter to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

There are 86 countries in the IWF and the sport's world championships have been held as far afield as the United States and Armenia.