PARIS: Several badminton shuttlers whose first or second Olympics were in Tokyo, where there were no crowds, are struggling to see the shuttlecock while playing in Paris amid distracting, lively fans and jarring lights.
Badminton's shuttlecock - or birdie - with its open cone of goose feathers embedded in a rounded cork base, can move faster than projectiles in any other racket sport. It usually weighs about five grams and has feathers shorter than 70 millimetres.
In typical federation tournaments, spectators are kept in the dark and a spotlight shines on badminton courts, making it easier for players to see the shuttlecock.
But at the Olympics, crowds are typically lit up brightly and in Paris that's been no different. The Porte de La Chapelle Arena is loud, glowing with white light, and full of thunderous crowds chanting, banging drums, holding flags, and occasionally making stadium "waves."
There is also a large screen that periodically displays fans with funny filters on their faces such as moustaches, Olympic-ring spectacles and wigs.
For some players, who rose to success under quieter COVID conditions and are used to playing in darker arenas, it can impact their game.
"What a beautiful arena - it was fantastic to see red shirts and flags and stuff, it was phenomenal. It's nice that it's bright on the spectator," said world number three men's singles player Anders Antonsen, whose first Olympics was in Tokyo.
"But it's also confusing, actually, to see the shuttlecock sometimes because there's so many different colours right behind.
"In terms of having a clear vision on the shuttle, I would prefer it to be dark. But it's also very beautiful to be able to see them."
Thailand's Intanon Ratchanok, who ranks 21 in women's singles and has been at every Olympics since London 2012, said she's also been finding it tricky versus Tokyo.
"The supporters wear many coloured shirts and the shuttle is white. And some people are wearing white, too, so sometimes it's difficult to see," she said.
"It's different with BWF (Badminton World Federation). They make it dark for the crowd and put a light on us, so it's easier to see the shuttle."
Similarly, Taiwan's Wang Chi-lin, one half of the men's doubles pair that won gold at Tokyo, said he's found it difficult to see the shuttlecock too, but added that he's not worried because his partner Lee Yang is incredibly good at backing him up and controlling it. - Reuters