I hope you’re doing well. There are a few new posts at Party List. I’ve been enjoying the Olympics. It’s fun to watch many of the world’s greatest athletes competing at their best. It was sad to hear about the match-throwing scandal involving eight badminton players.
I can understand losing a group-stage match in order to improve one’s position in the upcoming knockout phase that will produce the medalists. A Chinese team was upset early on the final day of group play. No one claims that match was thrown. However, teams began throwing matches in order to avoid the team that had suddenly appeared in a different spot in the bracket than had been expected.
I am sure badminton officials realize that, during the one time each four years that non-hardcore fans are paying attention to their sport, players obviously giving less than their best effort is embarrassing. The International Olympic Committee wants the whole thing to disappear as quickly as possible. Therefore, men in suits made a decision. It’s not good when men in suits make sporting decisions.