Badminton's Disgrace: The Outcome

A decision has been made, and things are going on. I guess I should post this entry to put an end as well, to the previous entry.

The BWF(Badminton World Federation) decided to disqualify all eight players(four pairs) involved in the incident. There were appeals from the Koreans and the Indonesians, but they were all rejected. Now, four pairs who were originally eliminated were 'revived' and allowed to play in the quarter-finals. 

As I'm writing this, world #18 Russian pair Nina Vislova/Valeria Sorokina and world #27 Candians Alex Bruce/Michelle Li have already beaten their respective opponents and are now in the semi-finals. That means, even if the pairs don't win their next matches, one pair of the two will still be bronze medallists.

I thought even if BWF decides to disqualify the four pairs, they probably should have cancelled the quarter-final and make the remaining four pairs play semi-finals, instead of 'reviving' the eliminated pairs. Because then, at least it makes the matches higher standard badminton. At least, the remaining four pairs were people who really fought and won, who deserved the promotion- not lucky ones who got promoted because four pairs got disqualified. (Right, maybe I should accept what I said: 'Sometimes, sports is about luck'. Dang, this is waaaay too lucky. Congratulations.)

Apparently, BWF wanted to allow a wider range of countries to play matches. That's what they said when asked why they had changed the format to round-robins. Sweet. They accomplished their vision. Now, there's really a wider range of countries playing matches- and a wider range of countries winning medals. But do they really deserve it? I'm asking.

'Oh look! Should I take it?'

The BWF were also asked that, since a similar incident had happened at the Thomas and Uber Cups- where round-robin system is implemented- why hadn't they learnt from that? Their answer, was this: BWF will learn from THIS. 

Slow learner, maybe? 

BWF said actions weren't taken on coaches as there was no evidence of them telling players to lose. But how do they expect to find proof for that? Unless they had tapping devices hidden in some place where they could have heard the order.   

Actually, perhaps BWF did not make the decision to disqualify the players, solely on their own. There are rumours that they were being pressured by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). I guess there is a possibility, because there's been quite a few scandals in badminton in the past, but we haven't really seen any actions taken. So maybe this time, under the pressure from the IOC, they were forced to make a decision and take actions. But of course, I'm not blaming the IOC. Actions needed to be taken, for sure.

Black card flashed = disqualified.
Credits as watermarked.

I just feel it's heart-breaking to see the eight ladies taking all the blame and facing all the consequences. They've obviously worked really hard for the Games, perhaps even for years.. ten years.. as the Olympics could have been their ultimate dream since they were young girls.

I agree they played cheat too obviously- faaaar too obviously, and it really was very disrespectful. But I've also been imagining the pressure they must have been facing while they were 'acting' on court, and the crowd at that huge Wembley Arena booed at them. Pity ladies. They'd probably laughed and joked the night before when they discussed the strategy, not knowing it would even lead to this. 

I mean, even in Malaysia, people(often the media, maybe) sometimes make use of the loopholes to do things and achieve their missions while circumventing the law. This case was probably caused by the loopholes in the system. But perhaps, the players should have at least tried to make the matches look real. Regulations stated: you must try.

One small piece gone wrong could affect the entire board.
I mean Tetris.

The notoriously rebellious Lin Dan spoke regarding the matter. "I'm very sorry about what happened yesterday. It was indeed against the Olympic spirit. But take a look at the system this time. Isn't it a little unreasonable? We spent a year accumulating points for the Games, and now they're making us start all over again. Shouldn't those who implemented the system have thought of this?" - Wangyi News.

After the decision to disqualify the players was made official, Wang Xiaoli updated her personal Weibo(Chinese version of Twitter, as the say). 

It said, "I truly never expected that four years of hard work would end up like this! I'm hurt everywhere! I've been persisting for the tournaments. From ten years of criticising and not being recognised, I've finally got the capability to earn a medal! Do you understand the hard work within this? I got here, step by step, along with my partner. All that people see is our glory, but what about our devotions? It was your faulty system, but you're wanting us to take the blame! By what means? What you've halted wasn't just a match. It was my dream!"

People are blaming team China as they've been well known for trickeries. Some people even put the entire blame on team China, in this incident. But I must say, the Chinese are not the only ones who do this match-fixing thing. It's clear that the Koreans were 'up to no good' as well. Why put the entire blame on the Chinese? (You know I'm serious when I'm saying this, as I'm not usually a fan of the Chinese team). I'm not saying we should blame the others, I'm just explaining facts.

One night, eight dreams shattered.

Some say it's the BWF's fault. Some say it's the players fault. Some say the players are innocent, pity little chess pieces, under the control of their coaches. Some say the coaches are facing pressure from the country... no, wait, did anyone say that? Ah whatever. People have different opinions, and my opinion is, as I said, each and every party in this matter have their mistakes.

A decision had to be made, no matter what. And whatever the decision was, it was going to be unfair to somebody. Now, the decision was made, and while the BWF was the one making the decision, it was inclined to be unfair to the players, as it is right now.

About it being unfair to those who paid to watch the matches, well, there's a possibility they'd probably paid to watch the matches on the other courts; or to watch how the strategy planning goes (some people do support using tactics, apparently); and if they indeed paid to watch that particular match, and are disappointed about what happened, I must say that right now, having the pairs disqualified and reviving four unqualified pairs, have also caused many others to be disappointed- these people had probably paid to see their idols- i.e. those who just got disqualified- compete in the knock-out rounds.

Greysia Polii's personal Twitter.

Side note: I seem inclined towards the players' side. I noticed that.

Right now, pity are the spectators; pity are the players, coaches, teams, countries and supporters; pity are those who had to crack their head to come up with a good-enough decision to end the matter; but among the players, the most pity ones would have to be the Koreans (the team, the whole nation). Both pairs gone, one medal less for the entire country. Huge impact.

Ah, yes. Same goes to the Indonesians too- they were the nation's only players in the women's doubles.

I'd blame the one who left the front door wide open.

Anyway, whatever it is, it's definitely one huge happening in the world of badminton. Sad, interesting, full of lessons, disgrace... everything! It sure wasn't an ordinary day in badminton history.

I'm now putting a full stop to what I have to say about the matter, and I shall enjoy the games as it is right now. May all the others have fun too. Bless the bruised hearts. ♥


P.S
Information regarding the BWF were obtained through Gail Emms' personal Twitter.