General introduction of badminton
(www.athens2004.com)
Updated: 2004-07-29 10:28

Badminton is a sport that can be played by men and women of all skill levels and all ages. But to compete at the highest levels successfully, athletes must develop special skills such as technique, stamina, strength, and flexibility.
The sport has spread around the world and is especially popular in Asia where spectators can exceed 15,000 in important contests.

In Greece, Badminton is becoming increasingly popular. In 1995, when it was formally recognised by the General Secretariat of Sport, there were only 90 officially registered players. Today, there are over 3,500.

During the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, Badminton competition is expected to attract a lot of attention. Countries with long tradition in the sport will send their best athletes, after a twelve-month selection process.

Description

Badminton is played between two or four athletes. Unique to this Olympic sport is the mixed doubles event, in which a man and a woman athlete compete on the same pair.

To score a point, Badminton players have to hit the shuttlecock with their rackets so that it lands on the opponent’s court – then a point is scored. The winner is the athlete or pair to win two games of 15 points each. In women’s singles, games end at 11 points.

ATHENS 2004 Badminton

During the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, Badminton competitions will be staged in the Goudi Olympic Hall, which has a seating capacity of 5,000. Competition events will take place within the span of eight days (August 14-21). The finals will be conducted during the last four days of competition.

Olympic Badminton consists of five events:

1. Men’s singles

2. Women’s singles

3. Men’s doubles

4. Women’s doubles

5. Mixed doubles