Early forms of badminton were played in China, India and Greece but the modern game, the world's fastest racket sport, began to develop in England in the late 19th century.
Badminton is named after the Duke's of Beaufort residence in Gloucestershire ? Badminton House ? where the sport was played in England for the first time.
The International Badminton Federation (IBF) was founded in 1934 and the sport was a late entrant to the Olympic fold.
It first featured in the Games in 1992 in Barcelona, with men's and women's events, having been a demonstration sport at the 1972 Games. Mixed doubles was added to the programme at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Since then, badminton's popularity has grown, especially in China, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Coaching is now allowed between points.
Men's and women's singles
Men's and women's doubles
Mixed doubles
There are 86 men and 86 women competing.
Men's singles: Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia)
Men's doubles: Ha Tae-kwon/Dim Dong-moon (South Korea)
Women's singles: Zhang Ning (China)
Women's doubles: Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (China)
Mixed doubles: Gao Ling/Zhang Jun (China)
Aug. 15 ? Women's doubles
Aug. 16 ? Women's singles
Aug. 16 ? Men's doubles
Aug. 17 ? Mixed doubles, men's singles
Beijing University Gymnasium
*Reuters
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
