General

Four Canadian officials have been selected by the Badminton World Federation to officiate the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan from July 24^th to August 2^nd 2021. The badminton event will take place at Mushashino Forest Sports Plaza and will feature the highest level of talent the sport has to offer.

Representing Canada at the Olympic Games are four of Canada’s most experienced officials in their respective roles:

• Yves Cote - Barachois, QC – Deputy Referee
• Eric Desroches – Saint -Jacques, NB - Umpire
• Gérald Arseneault – Fredericton, NB – Umpire
• Benny Xu – Edmonton, AB – Line Judge

“These four Canadian technical officials are some of the very best in the world” stated Joe Morissette, Executive Director, Badminton Canada. “They have earned the right to officiate at the Tokyo Olympic Games with their countless hours volunteered at local, national and international events.”

Both Eric Desroches (Umpire) and Gérald Arseneault (Umpire) will be attending their second Olympic Games in a technical official capacity, after representing Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“The success of these individuals reflects positively on our technical official development system in Canada” continued Joe Morissette. “We are so pleased that our historic eight athletes will see familiar faces at the Games.

“It was so exciting to be asked to officiate at the Tokyo Olympics” stated Canadian Line judge, Benny Xu. “It is a great honour to be able to represent Canada at the Games, as well as to be able to give back to a sport that has given me so much.”