Events

30 May 2024, Calgary AB – As the dawn of the Paris Olympics approaches, many athletes are gearing up for their final preparations at the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 YONEX Canada Open from July 2-7, 2024 held at the WinSport Event Center in Canada Olympic Park. Among the 275 athletes there are 39 Olympians representing 33 countries, competing for $420,000 USD in prize money, this year’s lineup is one of the most stacked rosters in the history of North America’s most prestigious badminton tournament.

 

Tournament Director Jeff Bell is excited for the Canadian badminton community to finally get the chance to experience the North American debut of Viktor Axelsen (World Number #1, reigning Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion in Men’s Singles) alongside other top 10 World Ranked athletes in all five disciplines. Axelsen was expected to participate in 2023 but withdrew due to a nagging injury. “We may finally get the chance to witness Viktor in person as he is part of the 22-member Danish national team that is using this opportunity to train and compete at elevation in preparation for Paris 2024. At 1,100 meters above sea level, Calgary is the highest elevation among the thirty host cities which makes up the HSBC BWF World Tour.” says Mr.  Bell.

 

 

Representing Canada at the Canada Open are some familiar faces are some athletes who will be attending the Paris Olympics - Michelle Li, a four-time Canada Open champion and four-time Olympian in Women’s Singles, Brian Yang (two-time Olympian in Men’s Singles), Nyl Yakura (two-time Olympian in Men’s Doubles) and a fresh face, Adam Dong, competing in his first Olympic Games in Men’s Doubles.

 

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the Canada Open Super 500 is proud to be a leader in promoting equal opportunity in sport by providing the same prize pools for the singles and doubles events, regardless of gender. “Badminton Canada is very excited that many of the top badminton players in the world will be competing in the Yonex Canada Open 2024,” shares Bryan Merrett, Executive Director, “The level of competition will inspire and excite badminton fans in Canada and around the world. Delivering a competition of this magnitude offers Canadian players the opportunity to be challenged and develop their game to be able to compete on the world stage.”

 

Badminton is becoming a widely popular activity that youth of all ages and backgrounds are interested in across many local Calgary communities. Calgary’s diverse population is swiftly falling in love with the fastest racket sport in the world. The Guinness World Record for fastest badminton smash currently stands at 565 km/hr, almost 200 km/hr faster than the quickest Formula 1 car.

 

If you want to find out how fast-paced, explosive and exciting the sport of badminton is, we welcome you to come watch the action live on July 2, 2024 for free as a part of our Community Day initiative from 10AM to 8PM. All four main courts will have intense battles with many local homegrown athletes hoping to qualify into the main event in all five disciplines, and Round of 32 Men’s and Women’s Doubles matches will take place near the end of the day. To register for a free ticket, please visit the Canada Open website here.

 

Action will continue throughout the week with the five event finals scheduled for Sunday, July 7 beginning at 10:00am. Various ticket packages are available by visiting  Canada Open Badminton Championships BWF World Tour Super 500 | Showpass.

 

-30-

 

For more information on the event please contact:

Jeff Bell

Tournament Director, Canada Open

Badminton Alberta

jbell@badmintonalberta.ca

Telephone: 403-297-2108

 

Gilda Rodrigues

Manager, Communications, Marketing & Sponsorship

grodrigues@badminton.ca

Telephone: 613-518-1501, X2084