IBF welcomes Beijing decision

IBF welcomes Beijing decision

CHELTENHAM, England (Reuters): Top badminton officials have warmly welcomed the choice of Beijing, one of the sport's strongholds, for the 2008 Olympics.

It is the first time since badminton entered the Olympics in 1992 that it will be staged in a country where the sport is widely followed.

The International Badminton Federation is relishing the promotional opportunities of playing in a country where media and spectator interest is guaranteed.

China is the most successful nation in Olympic badminton, winning 17 medals of the 46 awarded to date. It took four of the five golds on offer in Sydney.