Paris Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen said he had no ‘beef’ with the Badminton World Federation, but then proceeded to list a number of complaints against the sport’s world body, accusing it of not listening to players and not taking mental health seriously.
“I don’t need a “beef” with the BWF, but I’m very tired of the disconnect between the players and the BWF. Everything needs to go through the federation, but I’m an individual athlete with my own team, making my own decisions! Some players are happy to come to the federation That’s great, but we are some athletes who are independent!
Axelsen then spoke about the world body’s reluctance to grant breaks or exemptions to its ‘top committed athletes’ who are struggling financially or mentally.
“What has particularly bothered me recently is the handling of Beiwen Zhang’s case. She is struggling mentally and financially, but she has no choice to continue playing because “mental health” is not a sufficient reason to avoid the liability of “top committed players”.
I don’t necessarily have a “beef” with the BWF, but I am very tired of the disconnect between the players and the BWF.
Everything needs to go through the federation, but I’m an individual athlete with my own team, making my own decisions!
Some players are happy to come to the federation.
— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) December 4, 2024
“If we don’t take mental health seriously as a sport, where are we going? I appreciate what the Athletes Committee is doing, but I’m very sorry, but we don’t have the power to change anything as it is now, and the only way the BWF will listen is if we speak up as athletes.
Axelsson also said the reason he spoke publicly was how the powers that be pushed aside the rights of the federation and the wishes of the players.
“A lot of players are afraid to speak publicly, which is understandable, given the power the federation has. But I have a responsibility. To the current players and to future generations. And I’m going to speak my mind!!! And you too, the fans. Know what’s going on.” Well deserved,” Axelson wrote. “Without the support of all of you around the world, we are nothing, and it’s time we all accept this. We need to work together, and we need to be heard as athletes. The BWF has a lot of good things to do to develop our sport, but together we We can do much better.”