Badminton, present in the Olympic programme since the 1992 edition, in Barcelona, is the subject of this month’s special series on sports on the rio2016.com website. Throughout the week, you will get to know the main players, learn a little about this sport – through stories and trivia – and understand its progress in Brazil.

Our special will show how Badminton, which originates in England, became a fever in Asia, the birthplace of great world icons such as Chinese players Lin Dan, two-time Olympic champion, and Gao Ling, greatest female Olympic medallist. It will also highlight these athletes’ achievements – that due to leaps and stretching movements look like true ballet dancers on the court. It will also unveil a few interesting facts: for instance, did you know that Badminton is the world’s fastest racket sport? And it will tell you how this sport, still in its infancy in Brazil, is changing the lives of hundreds of young people in the state of Piauí.

The choice of Badminton as the subject of this month’s special was done through a poll on our Facebook page. Stay tuned and participate in the poll for the next special, which may be launched in the next few weeks on our Fan Page!

Check out the programme and follow our special:

Tuesday, the 20^th –Badminton trivia, the world’s fastest racket sport

Wednesday, the 21^st– Badminton transforms the lives of hundreds of young people in the state of Piauí

Thursday, the 22^nd – Asia, the birthplace of great Badminton icons

Would you like to find out more about other sports? Check out those that were the subject of our special’s past editions: Athletics, Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Boxing, Boccia, Goalball, Judo, Wrestling, Swimming, Paracanoe, Modern Pentathlon, Rugby, Taekwondo, Shooting, Triathlon, Sailing, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Handball, Golf, Football, Tennis and Cycling.