Olympic axing rumours leave shuttlers unruffled
Ace shuttlers dismiss speculation the sport is to be dropped from 2020 Games programme
Players in the World Super Series finals in Shenzhen appeared unfazed by speculation badminton is facing the axe from the 2020 Olympic Games programme.
London Olympic women's singles champion Li Xuerui said the speculation had not worried her.
"There is nothing concrete about which sport will go," said the 21-year-old mainlander, who kept a perfect record in her three group matches to reach today's semi-finals at Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, including an overwhelming 2-0 (21-9, 21-12) victory over Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea yesterday.
"As a player, my role is to perform my best on the court so the fans can enjoy watching the best badminton. Whether the sport can stay in the Olympic Games is a matter for the sport's world governing body to deal with."
It was reported the IOC's Olympic programme commission would consider later this month whether or not to drop one of the 26 London Games programmes out of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Either badminton or table tennis - the two sports dominated by Chinese athletes - is rumoured to be facing the axe, while boxing and modern pentathlon are also said to have questionable futures.