#China #Hangzhou #Badminton World Federation #Thomas Lund #Viktor Axelsen

BWF's Commitment to Player Safety and China's Role in Badminton

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has recently faced significant challenges regarding the health and safety of its athletes. Through an exclusive interview with Global Times, secretary-general Thomas Lund revealed the federation's dedicated approach to resolving these issues, emphasizing their priority on maintaining players' well-being on the court.

In early December, two-time Olympic men's singles champion Viktor Axelsen publicly criticized the BWF, claiming they weren't providing adequate support for athletes' health. This came after Axelsen withdrew from the World Tour Finals due to injury, subsequently facing a fine from the BWF. The federation had requested medical documentation from him, highlighting its rigorous policies around player participation.

Lund defended the BWF's position, explaining, "If a player is physically unable to travel, such as in the case of serious injury, the BWF will grant them an exemption from participation without further penalties." He clarified that fines only apply in situations where players are medically fit to play but choose not to attend or participate in necessary media engagements.

On a serious note, the unfortunate incident involving Chinese junior player Zhang Zhijie, who tragically passed away during a competition in Indonesia, triggered an urgent reassessment of the BWF’s emergency protocols. Lund discussed the initiation of a thorough review of their Medical Emergency Intervention Protocols, which now allows medical personnel to provide immediate assistance without waiting for referee approval in emergencies, such as cardiac arrests or concussions. This proactive measure was approved and took effect last November, underscoring BWF's commitment to athlete safety.

As part of the ongoing improvements, medical equipment such as Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been stationed courtside during tournaments, particularly for the upcoming World Tour Finals in Hangzhou. Lund expressed their continued efforts to monitor and safeguard player health proactively, aiming to ensure a safe environment for all competitors. The federation has also encouraged member organizations to routinely monitor the physical health of athletes within high-performance structures.

China’s significant role in badminton cannot be overstated. The country has produced a wealth of legendary players, accumulating 22 Olympic gold medals since badminton became an Olympic event in 1992. Lund praised the considerable collaboration between BWF and the Chinese Badminton Association, along with local governmental support, which has made hosting major badminton events in China a fruitful endeavor. He stated, "We are always eager to bring our major championships to China, and the collaboration with local authorities ensures the success of our tournaments."

Looking ahead, the BWF is not only focused on current operations but is also keen on expanding its global footprint and modernizing the sport to attract new, younger audiences. Lund highlighted innovations such as automated fault detection systems and a new time clock function intended for implementation by 2025. They are also leveraging social media platforms to engage younger fans, collaborating with prominent content creators to create authentic and relatable narratives around the sport.

Lund concluded by reiterating that their core mission remains unchanged: encouraging as many people as possible to play badminton throughout their lives. He confidently stated that the BWF's developmental frameworks are in place to attract new players while ensuring that the sport continues to thrive worldwide. Daunted by challenges but determined, BWF is setting a robust foundation for the future of badminton, both domestically and internationally.