Olympics clear way for new generation of shuttlers

The ongoing China Open is proving a testing ground for the country's young shuttlers to prove their mettle and fill a void left by those veterans who retired in the wake of the Beijing Games.

Host China fared well at badminton during the Aug 8-24 Olympics, earning three gold medals, two silvers and three bronzes, but the subsequent retirement of several stars has brought its own trials and tribulations.

Gone from the national squad is Zhang Ning, a two-time Olympic champion in the women's singles event. Also missing are Athen Games doubles champs Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen, and two-time Olympic mixed doubles winner Gao Ling. A special ceremony will be held in their honor when the Shanghai tournament ends on Sunday.