Eight badminton athletes disqualified from Olympics

Eight badminton athletes disqualified from Olympics [Chinanews.com]

Eight female badminton players were not as lucky when they tried to use the rules in their advantage. China's top-seeded pair, Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang, Indonesia's Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari, and two South Korean pairs -Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na, and Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min Jung- were all disqualified from the Olympics.

The Badminton World Federation found them throwing their matches by deliberately hitting shots into the net and faulting their serves in an effort to get an easier draw in the next round. The four pairs of players, who angered the watching crowds, were charged with demeaning the sport and the spirit of the Olympics.

There is a public opinion that says the federation should also take some responsibility for this athletic drama, due to its sudden change of the rules from elimination to group match.