A Massive Olympic Scandal Is Brewing in Badminton — and It Involves the Chinese
- Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:16am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
There are plenty of doping rumors swirling about Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen, but those are being supplanted today by the massive scandal brewing on the badminton court. Yes, the badminton court.
Apparently several teams — eight players in all — conspired to throw their matches in order to secure a favorable draw in the next round. And after the World Badminton Federation (WBF) investigated, all eight have been expelled from the games.
The Badminton World Federation investigated two teams from South Korea and one each from China and Indonesia. It accused them of “not using one’s best efforts to win a match“ and ”conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport” in matches Tuesday night.
By Wednesday morning the Indonesian team said all the players had been kicked out, but that team plans to appeal.
London’s Daily Telegraph has more:
Four pairs of players – two from South Korea, one from China and one from Indonesia – could be disciplined by the Badminton World Federation after the competition temporarily descended into farce.
Organisers launched an investigation after the players in the women’s doubles competition were jeered by spectators as they appeared deliberately to concede points.
Their actions seemed to be an attempt to manipulate the final standings in the group stage of the Olympic competition as they had all already qualified.
The suggestion is that they wanted an easier draw in the knockout stages or were trying to avoid teams from their own nation.
The unedifying spectacle at Wembley Arena saw opposing teams in two separate matches apparently determined to be defeated.
An unidentified official talks to world doubles champions Yu Yang, left, and Wang Xiaoli, as South Korea's Jung Kyung-eun, right, and Kim Ha-na, listen during their women's doubles badminton match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in London. Wang and Yu and their South Korean opponents were booed loudly at the Olympics on Tuesday for appearing to try and lose their group match in Wembley Arena to earn an easier draw. (Credit: AP)
It continues, noting that the players didn’t do a good job of hiding their acting:
China’s Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli and South Koreans Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na are among those facing sanction.
The longest rally in their game lasted four shots,and match referee Thorsten Berg coming on to court at one point to warn the players.
The players also appeared deliberately to serve into the net and to hit the shuttlecock out of the court.
A technical delegate said tournament organisers had formed a review panel to investigate – with the threat of serious sanctions including possible disqualification.
Moments after the review was confirmed, another match, between South Korea’s Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jing and Indonesian pair Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari, also descended into farce as the teams played out the same scenario.
A tournament referee came on to the court and appeared to disqualify both pairs in the second match, but the team’s coaches implored to be allowed another chance.
The Chinese defended themselves by saying, “it’s not necessary to go out hard again when the knockout rounds are tomorrow.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 679 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 636 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 523 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 360 Comments
Have You Seen the Giant ‘Sand Obama’ Sculpture in Charlotte? 312 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 136 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 184 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 146 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Scathing New Ad Capitalizes on Rep. Ryan‘s ’Fading Obama Posters’ Remark 124 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 136 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (125)
TreeTrimmerJim
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:24amDid someone in the stands or watching on TV see the infraction?
Report Post »mtcountrygrl
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:38amBadminton an olympic sport! That‘s the part I can’t get over. The olympics is kind of becoming a joke.
Report Post »boston-rightwinger
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:22pmSorry I was watching synchronized swimming. No not really.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:37pmmtcountry, the olympics have been a joke for over a decade now.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:51pmLiberal political tools are never jokes.
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:32pmbadminton, team handball, and a host of other sports should not even be in the Olympics….they took out baseball and softball because the USA always won after they let professionals back into the games…but Soccer has an under 23 age limit to remove as many professionals as possible… you get only 3 on your team over that age…
Basketball is a joke now…
the Olympics should go back to their roots…
ONLY Track and Field, Wrestling/Boxing/Martial arts, shooting sports, Swimming, and Gymnastics… dump everything else…
it was supposed to be only the events that would mimic Combat style skills…Gladiator games in a way without the blood..so show off your abilities as warriors in a peace time setting to AVOID international conflicts… just wait until the next Olympics and settle it without the bloodshed… even though in the original Greek games people did get bloody and broke bones and occasionally died… but that is why we can set rules now and obey them..
too bad most of the Asian world and former USSR never got the memo on the rules or how to obey them…not that the judges usually care that they do…until it hurts ticket sales that is…
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:47pmThe “Black Sox” of Badminton. What’s the world coming to.
Report Post »Chug
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:25pm@VRW CONSPIRATOR, who are you trying to kid. In the 5 games between ‘92 and ’08 that baseball was an Olympic sport the USA won gold once. The rest of the times you didn’t even make the finals. But I suppose if you want to boost Cuba’s medal tally (3 Golds, 2 Silvers) knock yourselves out.
Report Post »Whackajig
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:47pmAre you dense? Everybody saw multiple infractions.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:53pmDid not see it, I was mesmerized by the Curling event. There is just something about sweeping the ice with a broom that keeps my interest…..
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:40pm@Chug
Thank you for standing up for truth. It’s always nice to see the arrogant humbled and their lies exposed.
Report Post »black9897
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:21amWell, since two of the were from China and N. Korea they were probably threatened if they didn‘t lose they’re families would be killed.
Report Post »black9897
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:22amOops. *Their.
Report Post »cbrown
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 10:08amForget Badminton watch Dressage, it is real Olympic sport. I enjoyed watching Romney’s Rafalca perform so elegantly today. I am so inspired, plan to buy a horse, hopefully get a $77,000 tax deduction on it.
Report Post »LibsFIB
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:21amChicoms dont care what they do to “get ahead”!
Report Post »They dishonor themselves.
And when is dodge ball scheduled; I can’t find it… yet.
TAXEVERYONE
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:26amWhat would you expect from that part of the word.
Report Post »The only country with any honor seems to be Japan.
Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:29am“Chicoms”
Only 2 out of 8 were Chinese. This wasn’t about Communism at all… in fact, you could make an argument that as South Korea (a capitalist country, and a presidential constitutional republic) had four players disqualified for the same offense, it must follow that capitalism is the blame?
Don’t let your hatred of the Chinese color the actual facts.
Report Post »Quagmir
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:02pmTaxeveryone – with all those medals on your pic, you would think you would have made it over to S. Korea. If you had, you would know that they too have a culture rooted in honor just as the ***’s do. The countries are so close that you can see japan from korea with just a short hike up a mountain. I was on a chopper but you get the picture.
What that has to do with the games i dotn know because peopel with no honor give it thier all every game and lose or win too. Cheating sucks but i cant think of anyone not trying to get the edge anyway they can at the top levels of sports.
Report Post »cbrown
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 10:13amCan the Chinese compete in Dressage.Enjoyed watching Rafalca (Romney’s mare) today. It is a sport with real elegance and sophistication. Plan to buy a horse and hopefully get a $77,000 tax deduction for it.Please watch Dressage and support the Romneys.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:12am…
Report Post »Badminton should not be an Olympic sport.
J_Ruben_Kincaid
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:47amDrop badminton and add Dodgeball!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:21pmIt makes soccer look exciting…and that’s tough to do.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:58pmThey should add Yard Darts. Now there’s a game…..
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:09pmHeck with dodgeball….I want Jousting!
Report Post »schroeder123
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:02amis bowling the next sport ??
Report Post »Kilmerfan
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:30amHow about Strip Poker? Twister? Shopping cart racing
Report Post »rickg62
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:29amBowling has been discussed for several Olympics now. Sorry if it’s not “elite’ enough for you, but it’s a lot more popular worldwide than badminton. It probably will never be admitted because the US and possibly Japan would dominate if played as a team sport.
Report Post »flipper1073
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:09pmBowling was a Exhibition Sport a few years back
an America had an Excellent Team.
I Coach (not at an Olympic Level just local kids)
but these kids were as Good as Anyone.
Badmiton is an Olympic Sport ? What’s Next
Report Post »Croquette an Cricket ? (No offense to England)
But Really how about Lawn Darts ?
flipper1073
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:27pmOh, I forgot MY Favorite Olympic Sport
Report Post »Horseshoes
flipper1073
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:09pmJust a side note
Walter Ray Williams Jr. Earned over 4 Million Dollars
in his Pro Bowling Career.
How many Pro Badminton Players do you Know.
Not making a case for Olympic Bowling but
Report Post »Against Picnic/Lawn Games.
Although I do Like Women’s Beach Volleyball !
It’s a Guy Thing.
Cesium
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:40pmHow about Clay Pigeon shooting! … oh wait..
Report Post »NDPINDNT
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:51amCan’t believe they are keeping something like badminton but doing eliminating baseball. I also heard they are adding…..golf. Is that a sport? ha Who would want to sit around and watch golf. Very few people. Soon, they’ll be adding video games.
Report Post »Chug
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:06amThat’s because not enough countries play baseball to make a decent competion.
Report Post »termyt
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:52amReally? Have you seen the table tennis athletes?
Baseball is played extensively in North America, South America, and in large parts of Asia. The only thing I can figure is, that to have “enough countries” interested, at least one of those countries must be in Europe. If anything, throwing out was a huge slap in the face of countries from Central and South America even more so than Japan, Canada, and the USA.
Report Post »Chug
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:54pmHow many countries compete in your baseball world series? According to the IOC baseball wasn’t included in this or the next Olympics because of problems with getting the best players to take part. Which appears to be down to your baseball league not wanting to release player to compete, and problems with doping.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:42amThe Olympic’s have become a joke, why even have them
Report Post »RaydocX
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:39amCan the IOC expel itself for conspiring to keep the bet gymnasts from competing for te women’s all around?
When their rules eject athletes making by their definition racist tweets and then erect walls over racially based complaints and sllow religious headgear that can mask ‘tells’ in judo… When they bar the fifth best gymnast on the determining night from competing for the all around, THEY are preventing the best competition.
And when the best way to medal based upon THEIR seeding schedule is to lose a match, losing is the best strategy, and faulting the players is RiDiCuLoUs! They are by definition making their best effort to medal, or isn’t that the goal of the Olympics?
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:44amRAY it was not the IOC that banned the athletes for their comments it was their countries olympic commitee. Not saying its right just that it wasnt the IOC
Report Post »RaydocX
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:04amYes, and it was the Greek committee that expelled their jumper… bUT any body or agency the IOC allows to make such final decisions regarding qualified Olympic àthletes is by their inaction to protect said athletes ceding their supervisory and regulatory roles to the other rederation/ committee/ body.
This is not as improper as is being made out… Swimmers coast through qualifiers, the Dream Team doesn‘t put it’s bet team on the court whenever possible, pole vaulters don’t start at the max height they anticipate making. Losing but remaining medal capable is allowed under the uses, so the teams were merely using ad rules to their advantage.
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:43amI‘m in complete agreement with you in it’s not cheating it‘s strategy and I don’t have a problem with it.
Report Post »Edohiguma
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:25amWhat is more interesting is that they get kicked out over mere allegations. There seems to be no evidence, but that apparently doesn’t matter to the olympic retards. I wouldn’t be surprised if these players were trying to get more favorable approaches, but given the massive hype over this ridiculous events and how, especially in China, these girls are treated should they fail…
If anyone is to blame it’s the IOC, or whatever the nutters who run this joke are called.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:34am“What is more interesting is that they get kicked out over mere allegations. There seems to be no evidence”
I recommend reading the article again. It was obvious that they were throwing the matches for favorable line-ups. It was the “smart” thing to do: a more favorable match-up means a much higher chance to take home a medal. The folks are there for medals, not to entertain the crowd… except in this case, it was grounds for disqualification.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:23pm@LOCKED
Report Post »Do you know the definition of “sportsmanship?”
Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:33pm@Anonymous
Sure do. The behavior was unsportsmanlike.
No idea what your point was, however.
Report Post »tajloc
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:19ami agree with RRFLYER. But Badminton is a great game. The bird comes off the racquet at 200+ MPH and slows in the air to become a small parachute. The backyards in USA play aerial ping pong not badminton. You must have the court lines to play well. Try it
Report Post »gosutag
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:29amAgreed. I play badminton every once in awhile and it is one of my favorite sports, alongside ping pong and paintball. Although I much prefer to play paintball haha. Mind the drop shots, craziest part of badminton indeed.
Report Post »DrunkGOP_Hack
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:19amChina cheats at everything.
Report Post »They steal, copy and market stuff WE create and design just like the Russians did, so why and I not surprised.
Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:31am“China cheats at everything.”
And apparently South Korea is twice as bad, as they had twice the number of players disqualified?
Don’t let your hatred for China blind you to facts. If you don’t look for the truth, you might as well be a Democrat.
Report Post »Blazebanned
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:17amOn a side note, dont forget to patronize chick-fil-a today,and maybe while you’re at it, take a gay frind, and call it,(take a gay to chick-fil-a day)!;p
Report Post »Deputy
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:15amThere is a easy solution to this. Remove back yard hobbies from the Olympics and get back to playing real sports. Badmitton, ping pong and bb gun shooting have to go
Report Post »gonnaneedabiggerboat
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:20amNo way, I’m going for the gold in Jarts in 2016!! Don’t rob me of my chance for glory!
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:26amPersonally I’ve been getting ready for the cornhole tournament!
Report Post »Long range shooting is just so boring! Especially with the rifles available now. Gosh, I can put all ten shots into the bullseye at five hundred yards as quickly as I can pull a trigger.
Where was this equipment fifty years ago, when I really needed it?
Indymaverick
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:28amDodgeball should be in the olympics.I would watch that all the time.
Report Post »flipper1073
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:36pm@ HISTORYGUY
Report Post »Too much information
Please tell us you haven’t actually been in training for THAT.
Stay out of Chic-Fil-A’s OK !
LarryofArabia
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:15amBadminton conspiricy… really? You mean like a ‘grassy knoll, spit-ball thrown by a pitcher in the world series, point-shaving’ cheating? We‘re on the cusp of an economic catastrophe an we’re talking about cheating in badminton.
By the way, did you see the fencing ref ‘job’ the Korean sword-fighting lady? Turns out, they added one second to the clock and she lost. NOW THAT’S A CONSPIRICY!
Report Post »Shoot2Stop
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:04amAnd what about the Olympic stamp collecting competition? I hear there’s a rash of mucilage poisoning going around.
.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:20amIt would be awesome to go back in time and watch the badminton matches in the Coliseum.
Report Post »theninthplanet
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:53amCould anyone else keep a straight face when reading this article?
Cheating!?! In *Badminton*…
Pffft.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:13amMade it to “World Badminton Federation”……..
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:53amNot sure this is cheating, we see teams do this in sports all the time. Once a team makes the playoffs they will rest their best players before the playoffs.
Also bad headline it makes the blaze look like they have an agenda when multiple countries are involved why single out the Chinese?
Report Post »LarryofArabia
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:18amReally? We’re picking on the Chinese for cheating in badminton.
The premise behind the story is the absurdity of it all. You can’t make it up. And to reinforce the argument, the Chinese are upstanding, high morals people who would NEVER cheat at anything. Just ask the pentagon IT guys.
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:41amlarry
I cant stand China the country treats their citizens horribly. But i don’t see this as cheating. And selctive journalisim is selective journalism whether its MSNBC or the Blaze.
One question for you Larry do pro football teams sit players before the playoffs?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:51amBecause when I think sports… I think of badminton!
Report Post »nilo
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:50amAre the Olympics really a reflection of good sportsmanship any more? Doing less than your best in any endeavor is shameful.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:35am“Are the Olympics really a reflection of good sportsmanship any more? Doing less than your best in any endeavor is shameful.”
The Olympics are about winning medals. If playing your best would lead to a poor match-up against the number 1 team and send you home without anything, but intentionally throwing the match for a more favorable match-up would give you a good chance at bronze or silver, it only makes sense to stoop low like this.
No one will remember how amazingly you failed to take home a medal. Granted, it’s probably better than being forever known as a cheater like these folks will be.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:43amWhat dummies cheat at badminton? Really, badminton? Couldn’t you at least choose an exotic event to cheat at instead? I guess there is a first for everything.
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:42amI stopped watching as soon as I saw the London 2012 logo. Nah, I never started watching it!
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:11amI tuned out and off following the opening ceremony— I reject socialism and the attempt to force it down my throat!
Report Post »dannyo
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:41ami thought badminton was a picnic game…you mean you can go to london, get an endless supply (and use) of condoms in the olympic village, and all you have to do is play BADMINTON..where do i sign up??!!??!!
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:35amBadminton is an Olympic Sport?
Report Post »Can someone tell me when the beer pong matches start?
kentuckypatriot
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:44amThat would be sweet, wouldn’t it?
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:03amYeah it would! :)
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:30amThe Chinese cheating, noooo. Let me put on my shocked face.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:28amSHOCK, not!
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:22amThis one is going to be hard to uphold, as it is common for swimmers, runners and others to not try their hardest in qualifying rounds.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:37am@RRFlyer
“This one is going to be hard to uphold, as it is common for swimmers, runners and others to not try their hardest in qualifying rounds.”
This was not a qualifying round.
“Their actions seemed to be an attempt to manipulate the final standings in the group stage of the Olympic competition as they had all already qualified.”
Report Post »