The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of athletic achievement, and badminton is no exception. As the world’s top badminton players prepare to compete for a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the qualifying process has begun with a major change – Russia has been barred from participating.
The decision to bar Russia from Olympic qualifying was made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) due to the country’s involvement in a doping scandal. The scandal, which was uncovered in 2016, involved the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Russian athletes. As a result, the BWF has decided to suspend Russia from all international badminton competitions, including Olympic qualifying.
The suspension of Russia from Olympic qualifying has had a major impact on the badminton world. With one of the top badminton countries out of the running, other countries have been given a better chance to qualify for the Olympics. This has opened up opportunities for countries like India, China, and Japan, who have traditionally been strong in badminton but have not always been able to qualify for the Olympics.
The Olympic qualifying process for badminton is a long and grueling one. Players must compete in a series of tournaments throughout the year in order to accumulate points. The top players from each country then compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where they must win a certain number of matches in order to secure a spot in the Olympics.
The Olympic Qualifying Tournament for badminton will begin in April 2020 and will be held in various locations around the world. The tournament will feature some of the world’s best players, including reigning Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marin of Spain and reigning world champion Kento Momota of Japan.
The suspension of Russia from Olympic qualifying is a major blow to the country’s badminton program. However, it also presents an opportunity for other countries to make their mark on the international stage. As the Olympic Qualifying Tournament approaches, fans around the world will be watching to see who will emerge as the next great badminton stars.
