Jonathan Losses At The 2024 Olympics, PBSI Launches Protests To BWF

JAKARTA The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) has officially filed a protest to BWF over the injustice received by Jonatan Christie in the group phase of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The protest was filed through the Head of PBSI's Foreign Relations Division, Bambang Roedyanto, as received on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

The national badminton parent felt Jonathan as the third seed should have received a lighter draw than Denmark's men's singles, Anders Antonsen, who became the fourth seed.

"The crowd that will compete in Group L will have to play three times in the group stage and not get an empty draw in the round of 16.

"Meanwhile, Antonsen, who will compete in Group E, only played twice in the group stage and got an empty draw so he immediately played in the quarter-finals," said PBSI.

From the draw, Jonathan was included in a group of four players, while only three players were Antonsen. This makes Jonathan have to compete seven times if he reaches the final.

In the group stage later, Jonathan will meet Lakshya Sen (India), Kevin Cordon (Guatemala), and the men's singles Belgian, Julien Carraggi.

Responding to this situation, PBSI also asked BWF to arrange a better match schedule for Jonathan so that the time between matches that must be passed is not too crowded.

"PBSI also recommends that the use of an unfair match system like this is no longer used in the next tournament," said PBSI.

BWF has also responded to the protest. In an electronic letter received by PBSI, the world badminton parent explained that this condition that did not benefit Jonathan was the result of the draw.

"However, they promised to evaluate this draw. BWF also promised to arrange a suitable schedule between matches. This is so that the players in Group L get sufficient rest," said PBSI.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The badminton sport competes from 27 July to 5 August 2024.

Jonathan was included in the nine badminton athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He went there with Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, Fajar Alfian, Muhammad Rian Ardianto, Rinov Rivaldy, and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.