China to send most shuttlers to Atlanta

China to send most shuttlers to Atlanta

JAKARTA (JP): China narrowly outnumbered Indonesia when the
International Badminton Federation announced on Friday qualified
players for the Atlanta Olympic Games.

China will send 22 shuttlers who will play in all five
divisions at the Georgia State University Gym, Atlanta, during
the Summer Games next July.

Indonesia tied with South Korea with 20 players each, followed
by European powerhouses Denmark and England.

The International Badminton Federation said on Friday that the
list of players remains subject to changes, which might be made
by the National Olympic Committees (NOCs). "NOCs may drop their
players who fail a national selection or who suffer unforeseen
injuries," Kate Killworth of the badminton federation said.

There are five gold medals at stake in men's and women's
singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles competitions
in Atlanta.

A country is allowed only to field a maximum of three singles
players of each gender, three pairs in each of men's and women's
doubles and three mixed teams.

China, Indonesia and South Korea all secured the maximum
number of berths in singles competitions.

The International Badminton Federation said that 192 players
from 33 countries had lined up for the Olympics badminton, with
six more berths in singles on offer in the form of wildcards.

The world badminton governing body also announced that
Indonesia topped the seeding list in men's singles through former
world champion Joko Suprianto and men's doubles through World
Championship and All-England title holders Rexy Mainaky and Ricky
Subagja.

Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma earned Indonesia the women's
singles and men's singles gold medals respectively in the 1992
Olympics in Barcelona. They will defend their titles in Atlanta.
(amd)