Badminton Venue - London 2012 Olympics

At London 2012, Wembley Arena will host the Olympic Badminton competition. Wembley Arena is in north-west London, around six miles from the city centre. It is next to Wembley Stadium.

Badminton players at the London 2012 Olympic Games will need lightning-fast reactions if they’re to keep up with shuttlecocks travelling at speeds in excess of 400km/h.

During the 19th century, British military officers in the Indian town of Poona added a net to the ancient game of battledore (meaning ‘bat’) and shuttlecock, and named this new game after the town. The sport of Poona was eventually brought back home by the officers, and was played at the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire residence in 1873. The residence was (and is still) called Badminton House, which is how this thrilling sport got the name used today. Around 6,000 spectators will be able to enjoy the action during the Olympic Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions.