A disciplinary inquiry has been launched against eight badminton players on charges of trying to throw their matchs to secure a favorable fixture at the London Olympic Games, while the IOC said the incidents are "not acceptable".
The Badminton World Federation said in a statement on Wednesday it had charged the women doubles players from China, South Korea and Indonesia under its players' code of conduct with "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport" in matches Tuesday night.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the incidents were "not acceptable", but what sanctions these players face is up to badminton's govering body.
"The federation is taking very swift action and we expect them to take the correct course," Adams told a daily press briefing. "We have our full confidence in them."
Meanwhile, Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympics (LOCOG), called this matter "depressing", saying "who wants to sit through something like that?"
But Paul Deighton, chief executive officer of the LOCOG, said there would be no refunds for those who bought tickets to watch Tuesday's badminton sessions.
Adams said the IOC thinks they are "a long, long, long way away" from saying the sport's status in the Games needs to be examined.
"I think it's really premature while a disciplinary committee is still sitting to try to decide whether they have taken the right or wrong decision when they haven't actually taken the decision yet," he added.
