RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Mention to a badminton superfan the widespread American view that the sport is mostly a backyard lark and watch the steam come out of their ears.
They find it inconceivable that anyone, even Americans steeped in football and basketball, could mistake badminton for anything other than a complex, endlessly fascinating symphony of power, agility and speed.
With apologies to the purists: Most Americans can't see past their leisurely, backyard BBQ encounters with the game.
It wasn't always that way.
Badminton once enthralled many in the United States. Its athletes graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, staged badminton on ice escapades and won world championships.