Badminton is a popular racquet sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is a fast-paced game with a lot of skill, technique, and strategy involved. While badminton is one of the most popular sports in the world, it has only been included in the Olympics since 1992. In this article, we explore the history of badminton and how it first came to be part of the Olympic Games.
History of Badminton
The origins of badminton can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages. The game originated in India and was called “poona”. It was popularized in England during the 19th century and the Badminton Association of England was formed in 1893. The rules of the game were developed and the first badminton tournament was held in 1873.
The game of badminton spread quickly around the world and soon began to be played in many countries. In 1934, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) was formed, uniting all the national badminton organizations from around the world.
The Campaign for Badminton to be Included in the Olympics
For decades, the IBF had been campaigning for badminton to be included in the Olympic Games. In the early 1980s, the IBF made a formal application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to have badminton included in the Games.
The IOC was open to the idea, but they had concerns about the safety of the sport and the lack of international recognition it had. In 1987, the IOC launched a two-year trial period in which badminton was played in the Pan American Games and the All-Africa Games. The results were positive and badminton was officially added to the Olympic program in 1992.
Badminton at the Olympics
Badminton made its debut at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. The competition featured singles and doubles events for both men and women. The Chinese team dominated the competition, winning seven of the eight gold medals. Since then, badminton has been included in every Summer Olympic Games.
Badminton has become increasingly popular at the Olympics. The 2004 Games in Athens had the highest attendance of any Olympic badminton tournament to date. It is also the most watched sport on television during the Olympics.
Conclusion
Badminton has been included in the Olympic Games since 1992. It is one of the most popular sports in the world and is growing in popularity every year. The IBF has been campaigning for decades to have badminton included in the Olympics and their dreams were finally realized in 1992. It is now one of the most watched sports on television during the Olympic Games.