Wembley for 2012 Olympics Badminton?: BCers' votes are still coming in . BCers' votes are still coming in. We now have 80 votes: "YES" for Wembley ......... 69 .... (86.25%) "NO" against Wembley .... 11 .... (13.75%) .
Wembley for 2012 Olympics Badminton?: BCers' votes are still coming in slowly . Votes are coming in so slowly. We now have 81 votes: "YES" for Wembley ......... 70 .... (86.42%) "NO" against Wembley .... 11 .... (13.58%) .
Wembley for 2012 Olympics Badminton?: BCers' votes are still coming in . Votes are still coming in. We now have 86 votes: "YES" for Wembley ......... 75 .... (87.21%) "NO" against Wembley .... 11 .... (12.79%) .
Wembley Arena for 2012 Olympics Badminton?: BCers' votes are still coming in . Votes are still coming in. We now have 90 votes: "YES" for Wembley Arena......... 77 .... (85.56%) "NO" against Wembley Arena.... 13 .... (14.44%) .
Wembley Arena for 2012 Olympics Badminton?: Be tested by the 2011 World Championships . Any potential issues will be smoothed out at the 2011 Badminton World Championships, which will take place at the Arena in August and act as a Test event for the 2012 Olympic Games. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ot...ondon-2012-Olympics-venues-Wembley-Arena.html .
Wembley Arena for 2012 Olympics Badminton?: BCers' votes are still coming in . Votes are still coming in. We now have 98 votes: "YES" for Wembley Arena......... 84 .... (85.71%) "NO" against Wembley Arena.... 14 .... (14.29%) .
Badminton tickets are completely sold out for the 2012 London Olympic Games . And now we hear that Badminton tickets are completely sold out for the 2012 London Olympic Games. But there is still the chance to watch the players in action at the 2011 Yonex BWF World Championships in London this summer, August 8 -14. Source: http://www.insidethegames.biz/sport...action-despite-olympic-tickets-being-sold-out ====== ====== part of article (26-Jun-2011) ====== ====== As one of the most popular spectator events at the Olympics, badminton is now completely sold out for London 2012 but there is still the chance to watch the players in action at the Yonex BWF World Badminton Championships in London this summer. Competing as individuals in five separate events - men's singles, women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles - the championships will see around 400 of the world's top players representing five continents, and all vying for the title of World Champion. Held at the Wembley Arena - the same venue for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics at the London 2012 Olympics - this will be the third time England has hosted the World Championships, but only the first time they have been staged in London, as they were previously held in Birmingham in both 1993 and 2003. First established in 1977 and originally held every two years, the World Championships has been held every year since 2003, except Olympic years. "We are delighted that demand for tickets for the greatest badminton event in the world has been so huge and it underlines the popularity of the sport in this country and across the globe," said Adrian Christy, the chief executive of Badminton England. "This event is part of the qualification period for London 2012 and fans buying tickets for the World Championships will see the very best in the world compete with one year to go. "The World Championships will be badminton as you have never seen it before and the atmosphere will be fantastic – we look forward to welcoming everyone to Wembley Arena this August." The Mayor's official promotional agency, London & Partners is highlighting the Championships as an ideal way for both Londoners and visitors coming to the capital this summer to see world-class athletes in action. "This is London's first ever World Badminton Championships yet another key milestone in London's long-term vision to be the most exciting major events city in the world," said Iain Edmondson, the head of the major events team at London & Partners. "With the top international players here a year before the main event this summer's Championships will be a fantastic sporting event which will both inspire and excite both Londoners and visitors to the capital. The competition takes place from August 8 -14 and there are a variety of supporters' packages available for the event from its official travel partner Gullivers Sports Travel. ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== .
Tuesday August 16, 2011 Four-time world champ Cai Yun gives the thumbs down to Wembley Arena LONDON: China’s Cai Yun went four up in winning the world’s title with his partner Fu Haifeng on Sunday but it was thumbs down from him on the venue for the next year’s Olympic Games. The World Championships at Wembley Arena was a test event for next year’s London Olympic Games but there were some teething problems that did not go too well with the players, officials and media. On Sunday, Cai Yun-Haifeng ended the gallant run of South Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong with a 24-22, 21-16 win. “It feels good to win the world title again. We did not take it for granted although we have won many titles before. This Korean pair lacked the experienced compared to Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung and we took advantage of it,” he said. On Saturday, Cai Yun-Haifeng had ended two-time runners-up Yong-dae-Jae-sung’s run with a 21-18, 21-14 win in the semi-finals. “This tournament was important because it is the venue for the Olympic Games. The playing hall is good but not some of the other facilities,” said Cai Yun. “They spent millions to renovate this place but it did not have a proper changing room for the players. We have to use the toilets and it was quite cumbersome. “They also lacked proper facilities for players to stretch and warm-down. I hope they will look into it.” The organisation at the media room was also quite a letdown – without an efficient way to hold press conferences, crowded mixed zone areas and poor lighting. One would have expected the same professionalism shown at Birmingham where the All-England is held annually. A Malaysian official also questioned the rationale of the court arrangement on the final day in the 12,500 capacity crowd. “Usually, the final matches should have been on the centre court but it was pushed right to a corner. It felt awkward,” he said. The hosts however, should be commended for doing a great job with their presentation of the events – by having something special everyday to get the fans excited prior to the matches and by placing a unique double decker bus for the players to make their entrance. It is good to look presentable outside but it would be better to re-look at some of the weak spots inside so that next year’s badminton event at the London Olympic Games will be efficiently run. from: The Star
. It looks like there are still many things needed to be done to prepare this venue ready for the 2012 Badminton Olympic events. .
it is good that they made the WC into a Olympics test event. the feedback will make the Olympics a much better event.
Pros and cons of a court near the corner. The pro bit is that in a large arena, more people can be closer. Obviously the disadvantages may be worse drift (convection currents from asymmetrical body heat), disturbance to the players on changing ends. When they referred to the 12,500 capacity, does it mean the event was sold out?
olympics was sold out months ago. 2011 WC definitely not. i say 60-75% up to the final and may be 80-85% for the last day
The 4 complains of Wembley Arena (before the 2012 Olympics Badminton events) . According to Cai Yun; "The playing hall is good but not some of the other facilities”. Cai Yun complained that; (1) the mens changing room was too small. (2) the stretch and warm-down area was lacking. (3) the media room was a letdown. According to a Malaysian official (don't know who), he/she complained that on Finals day, the court was pushed to a corner. He/she would like it to be staged in the middle of the venue. Source: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/8/16/sports/9305093&sec=sports Hope that these 4 complains could be addressed before this venue is used for the 2012 Olympic Games. .
London 2012: Is Wembley ready for Olympic badminton? The world's best players have been battling it out at Wembley Arena in the top event on the badminton calendar, the World Championships. London 2012 organisers have been using the event to test its suitability to host badminton next summer. BBC Sport's Jessica Creighton finds out if the 70-year-old Arena is up to scratch for the Worlds and the Olympics. VIDEO: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/badminton/14484430.stm
Basically the British players are pumping up their own venue. It would have been better to get a sampling that included foreign players. Going by Cai Yun comments, the venue might be OK by British standards but lags behind others he's played in. Some work needs to be put in to raise it to the quality of a venue befitting the Olympics.
..I'm going to go out on a limb and say the same thing is gonna happen probably in next yr's OG. That it's going to be filled about the same numbers up to the last day...2008 OG saw the same thing as i was there about 3 out of the badminton event's days.. As for the "complaints", i think they're pretty much correctable. They are beneficial. And yes, that's what this yr's WC is all about, as a guinea pig to test out the arena (or what's lacking). I would say, the main thing to focus on, is the playing condition has to be close to ideal when the OG starts (esp. the A/C draft)..
Depends how they light it. It was like a magic show at the WC - surroundings were WAY too dark when they got down to one court. I liked the Gymnasium they used in Beijing and the Athens venue - they kept good lighting right till the end.
