Badminton Farce

[flip_flop]

After the farcical situation which occurred last night, surely the only reasonable sanction for the four pairs involved is disqualification, isn't it?

Anything short of disqualification is tantamount to tacit approval.

If nothing else, people have paid good money to watch competitive matches - not matches where each pair is trying to lose - and therefore they have been cheated.

[tonyav]

Totaly agree, they should be disqualified imo.

[rockyracoon]

I would have been absolutely livid if I had bought tickets to these matches, disqualification should be swift. The arrogant look on some of their faces was equally disgusting.

[Kiki-frog]

I felt so sorry for people who'd forked out all that money to watch what they thought would be quality athletes. I don't think I've ever heard an Olympic audience boo and jeer like that. I certainly think that disqualification should be considered.

[bibblebub]

At what point does not trying become wanting to lose? During the GB v Brazil women's football last evening the commentator wondered if the Brazilians were trying as hard as they might because they had already qualified for the next stage.

[McMouse]

I blame the badminton federation for structuring the competition with 'pool stages'. If they had gone for straight knockout this would have been avoided.

[anneasquith]

IMO.its cheating.

[flip_flop]

There is a yawning chasm of a difference between not trying as hard as one might and purposely hitting the shuttlecock into the net and purposely hitting it wide with a view to losing a point.

[lcg]

yup....i was watching and was appalled. all should be disqualified and the other teams brought forward as they actually wanted to win. it was disgraceful.

[ladybirder]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. It would have been funny if it wasn't so unsportsmanlike. So blatant. They are due to play again this afternoon but I hope they are chucked out before then. Olympic spirit? What Olympic spirit?
I bet this isn't the only sport it happens in, albeit not so blatantly.

[weecalf]

How did it finish ? Ban the sport from the olympics ,that will teach them

[flip_flop]

They have, rightly, been disqualified.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...t/0/olympics/19072677

[Old_Geezer]

The only reasonable sanction is to congratulate them on being sensible. I can understand the spectators anger as they expected the committee to organise things properly and produce exciting games every time; but if you are already through to the next round why risk injury or tiring your self out, especially if you think another win will just make things harder for you. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Tactical results are a natural consequence of "table" rounds. If, as stated, they have been disqualified then that is clear prejudice and another nail in the coffin for the Olympic idea of fair play.

[Ellipsis]

> if you are already through to the next round why risk injury or tiring your self out

Because you might find you're not through to the third round after all, once you're thrown out in disgrace for "not using one's best efforts to win" or "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport".

[Old_Geezer]

Perhaps but you have to assume you have decent fair minded individuals controlling proceedings not vindictive power crazed officials who have made a mess of things and wish to use you as scapegoat.

[Ellipsis]

I believe the power crazed officials are simply exercising the rules that were in place before the matches were played, and therefore the players should have been aware of?

If they've been thrown out using a rule that didn't exist then that would indeed be unfair, and no doubt a protest will follow ...

[scowie]

They were trying their best to win though; their best to win Gold, just not that particular match. It is the organisation of the competition that is a farce.

[Canary42]

It's the organisation that's at fault. Having got through, they naturally want to save all their energies for the next RELEVANT match.

[emmie]

if they appeal and are successful what is the point?

[naomi24]

I was listening to Seb Coe talking about this earlier today. He said any decision concerning punishment or disqualification would be in the lap of the official Badminton organisation (forgotten its name) - not the governing body of the Olympics.