Competition Format

Beijing 2008 Olympics Badminton is played as straight elimination competition in the five events.

The top eight players according to the World Ranking in singles will be seeded and in doubles events top four pairs will be seeded in accordance with the applicable BWF Competition Regulations.

The only time a losing player or pair will contest another match is when losing semi-finalists meet in the bronze medal decider.

The draw size in singles will be a maximum of 64 and in doubles will be 16, BWF will conduct the draw.

Each match is contested as the best of three games. A game shall be won by the side which first scores 21 points. A point is awarded to the winning side of each rally. If the score becomes 20-all, the side which gains a two points lead first, shall win that game. If the score becomes 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point shall win that game.

An interval not exceeding 60 seconds will be allowed in each game when the leading score reaches 11points. The interval between games will be within two minutes.

Coaching is allowed between rallies.