15°c Overcast
21°c Cloudy with showers
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Badminton heads open to Olympic format changes after match-throwing scandal
South Korea's badminton player Ha Jung-eun arrives in South Korea, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012 after being kicked out of the women's doubles at the London Olympic Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Yonhap, Lim Hun-jung
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
LONDON - Badminton's Olympic format will be reviewed to avoid a repeat of the match-throwing scandal that blighted the London Games, but the world governing body said on Sunday no changes were guaranteed.
Thomas Lund, the general secretary of the Badminton World Federation, said a full tournament evaluation will be presented at its meeting in November, including a report on the debut of group play in London.
Four women's doubles pairs — the gold medal favourites from China, plus two from South Korea and one from Indonesia — took advantage of the new format by trying to lose their last group matches to give themselves easier quarterfinal matchups. They were disqualified and sent home.
Lund said they regarded the group system preceding knockout stages, as opposed to straight elimination play, as "a big success."
"It has brought action to many, many more viewers and prolonged the Olympic experience for many, many more players," he said.
"Generally, we've had much better exposure than we've ever had as a sport due to the group system. So group play has been a big success. But there are things that can be improved to avoid similar incidents in future."
Lund said they have received no pressure from the International Olympic Committee to do more than what they've done, and badminton was not in danger of being dropped from the Olympics.
"No sports federation in its lifetime and history can avoid having some incidents, the same with the IOC," Lund said. "The real problem occurs if you don't deal with this, and I think the executive board and the badminton community believe we have dealt with this swiftly and effectively.
"I don't think this will have any influence whatsoever on Olympic status."
The IOC have called on China, South Korea and Indonesia officials to investigate what role coaches had in the affair.
The coaches of all four pairs have apologized, Indonesia has asked for the format to be reviewed, and Lund called their reaction a positive in the scandal.
"A lot of Olympic dreams have unfortunately been destroyed," he said.
In his summary of the Olympic tournament, BWF president Kang Young Joong said the scandal would not detract from the action.
He said it was "badminton at its best," and great theatre and drama. He noted a record 51 nations participated, a record seven nations won medals, and each session was sold out.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Suspected Maoist rebels attack convoy carrying members of India's ruling party, killing 28
05/25/2013 11:13 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Traffic backed up on Trans-Canada near Richer
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- MTS becomes takeover target
- Overnight stabbings probed
- Teachers vote to donate $1.5M to human rights museum
- Infamous, chronic pedophile declines to seek parole
- Police hunt for gas station robber
- Doctor convicted after molesting teen at HSC
- Paying it forward in North End
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Islamic life showcased
- Charges laid against Sharon Home over resident's death
- Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba
- PC white grape juice recalled nationally over undeclared sulphites
- Demonstrators rally against Monsanto in global anti-GMO protest
- Local anti-Monsanto protesters critical of 'Franken-food'
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.