New Olympic qualification rule for more nations to compete

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced today that its council had decided to decrease the maximum number of players involved in the Olympic singles draws. As was the case for […]

The Badminton World Federation () announced today that its council had decided to decrease the maximum number of players involved in the Olympic singles draws. As was the case for the doubles, only 2 singles players per National Olympic Committee (NOC) will be able to compete in the 2016 Rio . This change could allow more nations to compete in the event, while it is a setback for nations such as China, the only one to benefit from the 3-per-NOC rule in the past two . For instance, current Olympic champion Li Xuerui would have to have been picked over two compatriots under the new rule as she was China’s fourth shuttler when the final list was announced on May 1st, 2012.

The total quota per NOC will therefore be reduced from 18 to 16 (eight male and eight female players).

The other major change for the Rio Olympics is that the host country’s quota will be one player in each of the two singles categories only. The host will not be given a quota in doubles.

See here the full report from the BWF

Raphaël Sachetat

About Raphaël Sachetat

Raphael is the Chief Editor of Badzine International. He is the founder of the website together with Jean François Chauveau. After many years writing for the BWF and many publications around the world about badminton, he now leads a team of young and dynamic writers for Badzine.