- A demonstration sport at the 1972 Games in Munich, badminton became an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

- Few people know it, but badminton is the world's fastest racquet sport. The shuttlecock, that missile of cork and goose feathers, can whip across the net as fast as 260 kilometres per hour. The best don't duck.

- Beijing's badminton facility is touted as the best ever. Tiny air-conditioning vents were built under 7,000 spectators' seats to keep everyone cool but not create drafts that might affect how the shuttle cock flys.