Badminton: China denies air-con controversy
Organisers blamed for turning off cooling system during worlds final.
The statement states that due to the increase in the number of spectators attending the final, the temperature went up and the venue became hotter. PHOTO: FILE
HONG KONG:
Chinese organisers have denied switching off the air-cooling system during the world men’s singles final after complaints that a sudden change in conditions may have influenced the match’s outcome, said officials yesterday.
The stadium air-conditioning ‘was not turned off at any time during the finals’, a Badminton World Federation (BWF) statement said, contradicting witness reports that the cooler went off during the men’s world championships title match and came back on afterwards.
“The local organising committee has confirmed to the BWF that the air conditioner was not turned off at any time during the finals,” said the statement. “However, the air conditioner was set on low from the beginning of the day.”
“However, due to the increase in the number of spectators attending the final, the temperature went up and the venue became hotter.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2013.
Chinese organisers have denied switching off the air-cooling system during the world men’s singles final after complaints that a sudden change in conditions may have influenced the match’s outcome, said officials yesterday.
The stadium air-conditioning ‘was not turned off at any time during the finals’, a Badminton World Federation (BWF) statement said, contradicting witness reports that the cooler went off during the men’s world championships title match and came back on afterwards.
“The local organising committee has confirmed to the BWF that the air conditioner was not turned off at any time during the finals,” said the statement. “However, the air conditioner was set on low from the beginning of the day.”
“However, due to the increase in the number of spectators attending the final, the temperature went up and the venue became hotter.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2013.