1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Badminton players disqualified

August 1, 2012

Eight badminton players have been disqualified by the sport's governing body for trying to throw their matches at the London Olympics. The athletes from China, Indonesia and South Korea were competing in women's doubles.

https://p.dw.com/p/15hT3
An official (2nd L) speaks to players from China and South Korea during their women's doubles group play stage Group A badminton match during the London 2012 Olympic Games
Image: Reuters

Four pairs in the women's doubles competition were disqualified on Wednesday by The World Badminton Federation after two fixtures ended in controversy.

The decision came after the WBF held a hearing following Tuesday night's matches, which local organizers and the International Olympic Committee called "depressing" and "not acceptable."

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said what happened at the matches was "not acceptable" and violates the Olympic Charter of fair play and sportsmanship.

The incident on Tuesday involved one pair from China, one from Indonesia and two from South Korea. Their conduct prompted angry spectators at Wembley Arena to shout abuse and jeer as the teams appeared to deliberately serve into the net or hit the shuttlecock long or wide.

All four teams were already through to the quarter-finals. It's alleged they were attempting to throw the matches in order to secure more favorable draws later in the tournament.

South Korean head coach Sung Han Kook admitted that his teams had planned to lose intentionally, but only in reaction to the actions of the Chinese teams.

The teams were charged with "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport."

ccp, dr/pfd (AFP, Reuters, dpa)