Dear pipsqueaks,
Please be aware that the following post is in no way representative of any other groups or people other than myself. Not as an official, not as of any nationality, but simply someone who believes at the same time in the integrity of the sport and the meaning of an Olympic medal. In many ways, the situation that had arised in the Wembley Arena was a tug and pull between the two. Now, if you were any of the players, what would you do?
To be completely true, not many players attend these Olympic Games to medal. Likewise, there ARE many players who are, and truth be told, why not? Who in their right minds with the capacity to win would go to the Olympic Games NOT trying to win the medal? As such, I agree that the method of competition needs to be seriously reconsidered. For one, you can't expect someone to KNOWINGLY take the more difficult path. It's just not logical. Then, you ask them to put in their 'best efforts' in every match. So what do you want them to do? How can one put in best efforts and try to win if best efforts will threaten their medal potential? Ironic indeed.
In any case, now that all players have been disqualified, it feels as if everyone is satisified with the conclusion. Yet, I don't feel so. It may not be as apparent, but the victim of this scandal is not only the integrity of the Olympic Games. The players themselves who have trained so hard to be here, in the middle of all this predictable mess, have lost their qualifications to play on.
Aftermath? Coaches of two nationalities came forth to officially take full responsibility for what happened, as they know the situation was not only in the control of the athletes. Yes, they were the ones on court in front of the millions of spectators. But let's not forget the bigger picture here. IOC recognises the competition of individual athletes, not nations. It's no wonder the punishment given were directed only towards the athletes as that is how they come to understand these Olympic Games, but in truth, many more should be held responsible. But, in a way, it's relieving to see that responsibilities were shared.
In terms of the meaning of an Olympic medal? Well, it should be the symbol of the undying fighting spirit and recognition of excellence. How can it mean the same now that the 'qualified' can be simply replaced by default. How can you lose, then win? It disregards the Olympic prestigeousness altogether.
Then, how should it have been handled? One way is to simply pushed forward to semi-finals. I know that would implicate the unavailability to participate for some pairs, but let's not forget the seedings that should have been produced by the round robins. In promoting the players that have been knocked out earlier, it throws off the whole point of seeding by round robin. Now, we have players who are more deserving- in discussion of excellence- not being able to compete on. How can we celebrate this 'biggest competition in the world' without the best of the best? I don't know.
Another way is to simply redraw all those who have moved on to the elimination round from their round robins with the four new pairs replacing those disqualified spots. As we already know the system is manipulable, it should be 'redone'. Brand new, fair start with proper seeding. Then, we can sit back and say, 'may the best win'. But of couse, there was no time for such remedy to take place, so the show must go on...
On more positive notes, there will be a very colour podium. Possibly, the first time ever for some countries. And of course, whether it's good publicity or bad publicity, it's publicity. Now, the whole world know badminton! Depending on how much they see and understand the scandal, it'll effect their impressions of badminton differently. I, for one, have been affected for sure. The final conclusion will be drawn when the whole experience ends for me. For now, let's just enjoy the rest of the competition.
As for how it really went down, well, you can always say, 'it's the luck of the draw'.