Delight as para-badminton included at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
Para-badminton will make its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games after the first 16 sports to be accepted were confirmed today (7 October 2014).
The International Paralympic Committee’s Governing Board made the announcement following a meeting in Berlin, and ensures that para-badminton will feature at the 2020 Paralympic Games for the very first time.
The IPC praised para-badminton for submitting a “very strong” application after missing out four years ago.
Derek Batchelor, Chair of BADMINTON England and the National Para-Badminton Committee, said:
“This is tremendous news. It’s three months earlier than we expected but we were very happy for it to be accepted as a Paralympic sport in the first 16 sports selected. I think that the case for the inclusion of para-badminton was just so strong that the decision was taken earlier than expected, which was fantastic news. It would have been difficult to turn down to be honest. This is the culmination of lots of work by lots of people. We won't know for a while yet which classifications are to be included but at least we've got over the major hurdle and now the hard work starts on how we move forward from here.”
Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said:
“I would like to congratulate the 16 sports that we have already confirmed will be included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, in particular badminton, who after missing out four years ago, submitted a very strong application. This has been an extensive and rigorous review process and all sports were assessed against the same criteria.”
BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer, who recently led a delegation to present badminton’s case for inclusion to the IPC, said:
“On behalf of the Badminton World Federation, I would like to thank the IPC Governing Board for this landmark opportunity which they have given to athletes with impairments in the badminton community. Today is a dream come true for so many talented competitors who have shone on the badminton courts and who have yearned to do so at the highest level of sport for para-athletes. We have worked hard in their name and for their cause and we are humbled and honoured by this decision that will bring joy to so many of our players.”
Earlier this year BADMINTON England organised the Para-Badminton International in Loughborough, one of the main events in the BWF’s para-badminton calendar.
The tournament saw England’s para-badminton stars secure four gold and five silver medals across a range of classifications.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held from 25 August - 6 September 2020.
BADMINTON England is the National Governing Body for badminton in England, dedicated to promoting the sport of badminton by enabling more people to play badminton and giving those with talent the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
