Synthetic shuttlecocks will be used in badminton due to the lack of feathers.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has approved the use of synthetic shuttlecocks at selected third-level international tournaments and junior competitions. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on April 8.

"During the tests, information about product characteristics will be collected, as well as feedback from players, technical specialists and event organizers," the BWF said.

The reason was reports of an increase in the cost of traditional shuttlecocks made of duck or goose feathers, caused by a shortage of raw materials and the growing global popularity of the sport.

The leading producer of shuttlecocks is China, where poultry meat production has declined in recent years due to outbreaks of avian influenza and the population's return to pork consumption.

TASS, citing an interlocutor, reported on March 18 that badminton players from Russia and Belarus were denied participation in the European Championship, which was held from April 6 to 12 in Huelva, Spain. The management of Badminton Europe decided to refuse the Russians because of the "inability to ensure security," although Spain has already hosted several tournaments with the participation of Russian athletes.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.