Badminton became an official Olympic sport in 1992 Barcelona. Since then, European shuttlers have collected a couple of medals. Let’s have a look back to Europe’s greatest Olympic badminton moments.

1992 when badminton gave its debut, it was Denmark’s Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen who won the first ever European badminton medal at the Summer Olympic Games. The tall Dane won the bronze medal in the men’s singles category.

In 1996 it was Poul-Erik Høyer who came to world-wide fame. The Dane became the first only European to win a Gold medal at the Olympics. Many of us probably still remember when he, overcome with joy, ripped apart his T-shirt after winning the men’s singles semifinal. One of the great and emotional moments of the whole 1996 Games in Atlanta.

In 2000 Sydney, it was Camilla Martin of Denmark who secured the best result for the European continent by winning Silver in the women’s singles event. The 1999 world champion lost to Gong Zhichao of China in the final. But also the British duo of Simon Archer and Joanne Goode entered fame by taking Bronze in the mixed doubles.

In terms of medals, 2004 in Athens was the most successful Olympics for European badminton players. Mia Audina, who played for the Netherlands at the time, entered the finals of the women’s singles competition and took the Silver medal. Also British duo of Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms (pictured) won the Silver medal in the mixed doubles. They became the first Britons to reach an Olympic badminton final. Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager of Denmark won the Bronze medal.

In 2008 in Beijing no European were able to win a Medal.

Let’s hope 2012 will bring more medals to the old continent.