Badminton Star’s Yellow Card Rescinded After Period Incident Sparks Uproar
badminton’s governing body has reversed a yellow card issued to Scottish badminton player kirsty Gilmour after she was penalized for taking a bathroom break to manage her period during a match, igniting a debate about menstruation policies in sports.
Uproar Over “Delay of Game” Penalty During All England Open
Teh incident occurred during Gilmour’s match against world number one An Se Young at the YONEX All England Open. After winning the second set, Gilmour, a three-time Olympian, requested a bathroom break to address her period, which had unexpectedly started a week early.Upon returning to the court, she was shown a yellow card for “delaying play” after exceeding the allotted two-minute interval.
BWF Admits Error, Rescinds Yellow Card
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has as rescinded the yellow card, acknowledging that the match officials misapplied the existing rules. According to BWF secretary general Thomas Lund, the laws of badminton already allow players to leave the court for a toilet break during the two-minute interval between games.
Existing Rules Sufficient, Says Governing Body
The BWF stated that a review of the incident determined the delay was caused by the umpire’s initial hesitation in granting Gilmour permission to leave the court. Consequently, the BWF believes that no new regulations are necessary, as the current Law 16.5.2 allows for a “flexible, common sense application” to accommodate various player needs.
Gilmour Calls for Period Protocol
Prior to the BWF’s decision, Gilmour advocated for a specific protocol to address menstruation in badminton. She highlighted the existing protocols for toilet breaks and medical issues but noted a gap in the rules regarding periods, arguing that athletes should be treated with ”dignity and leniency” when managing menstruation during competition, and suggesting there should be a specific amount of leniency in place to ensure there would be no repeat scenario.
BWF Partners with NGO to Address Menstruation in Sports
The BWF has an official partnership with Simply Sport Foundation, an Indian-based NGO that runs “Simply Periods”, a program focused on educating athletes and coaches about menstruation and its impact on female athletes’ performance. The goverining body said that this partnership would be a key focus area for BWF as they look to strengthen their inclusion and safeguarding policies within the sport.”
Focus on Female Leadership and Comfort Could Boost Sports Participation Among Girls
Efforts to increase the number of women in leadership roles within sports organizations, coupled with changes addressing comfort concerns such as the option to wear non-white shorts, could significantly boost girls’ participation in sports, advocates say.
Small Changes, Big Impact: Addressing Concerns in Women’s sports
Recent adjustments, such as the introduction of non-mandatory white shorts, represent positive changes in women’s sports, according to advocates. These small considerations address practical concerns and contribute to a more inclusive environment.
Creating a Positive Cycle: Empowerment at All Levels
The focus extends beyond just athletes. Encouraging women to take on positions of power within sports organizations is seen as vital.By getting young girls and women involved at all levels, a positive cycle of growth and empowerment can be fostered.
Here are two PAA (People Also Ask) related questions, suitable for the provided content:
Badminton Star’s Yellow Card Rescinded: Q&A
Following the controversial incident involving Kirsty Gilmour at the All England Open, here’s a breakdown of the key questions and implications:
Q&A
What happened to Kirsty Gilmour?
During the All England Open, Kirsty Gilmour was given a yellow card for “delaying play” after taking a bathroom break to manage her period. The break went over the allotted two-minute interval.
Why was the yellow card rescinded?
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) admitted the match officials misapplied the rules. Law 16.5.2 already allows for toilet breaks during intervals.
What did Kirsty Gilmour advocate for?
Gilmour called for a specific protocol to address menstruation in badminton, suggesting ”dignity and leniency” for athletes managing their periods during competition.
What is the BWF doing about this?
The BWF believes no new regulations are needed.They have partnered with Simply Sport Foundation, an NGO, for education on menstruation and its impact on female athletes.
How could sports become more inclusive for women?
Increased female leadership in sports organizations and addressing comfort issues like allowing non-white shorts are key. Did you know that some sports are already experimenting with period-tracking apps for athletes?
This incident highlights the need for sports to be adaptive and understanding. Support initiatives that promote female athletes’ well-being and inclusivity!
