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)