BWF Suspends SportAccord Ties

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The Badminton World Federation has suspended its membership of SportAccord with immediate effect until further notice.

Under the signature of BWF President Poul-Erik Hoyer, badminton's world-governing body has written to SportAccord President Marius Vizer informing him of this decision. It follows BWF's strong disagreement with Vizer’s comments about the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and IOC President Thomas Bach at the annual SportAccord Convention last month.

BWF was among a group of international federations which first distanced themselves from Vizer’s position by signing a collective statement expressing opposition to remarks in his welcome speech, noting Vizer did not "reflect the views of the international federations".

That statement also underlined the international federations' "strong support for the International Olympic Committee and to the Olympic Agenda 2020 which has been adopted under the leadership of the IOC President Thomas Bach in consultation and agreement with all the International Federations".

In addition, BWF's letter to Vizer noted more recent statements by him "clearly show that BWF is not aligned with the opinions and vision of SportAccord and you as the President of the organisation".