The move brings the discipline into line with the doubles quotas and could open up the opportunity for more countries to compete in the sport at the Olympics, however, it could have implications for badminton powerhouse China.

It was the only nation to have benefited from the previous rules, as Olympic women's singles champion Li Xuerui would have to have been selected over two compatriots under the new rules as she was ranked fourth in the nation - the top four players in the world were all from China - at the time of selection for London 2012.

The new regulations mean that the total quota for each National Olympic Committee will be reduced from 18 to 16 - eight male and eight female - players.

The other major change agreed by the BWF Council is to the host country's quota, which will be one player in each of the two singles categories and no quota for doubles players.

Li Xuerui would have to have been selected over two compatriots under the new rules as she was ranked fourth in China at the time of selection for London 2012 ©Getty Images

In the men's, women's and mixed doubles, the 16 highest-ranked pairs in each discipline on May 5, 2016, will make the cut for the Games.

Ranking points can be accumulated between May 4, 2015, and May 1, 2016, with participation in the Thomas and Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup, World Championships, Superseries, Grand Prix Gold, Grand Prix, International Challenge, International Series, Future Series, Continental Championships and any other BWF sanctioned international event counting.

Badminton's total quota for Rio 2016 is 172 places, six of which - three male and three female players - are for Tripartite Commission invitations.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
November 2012: Olympics doubles rules changed for Rio 2016 after match-fixing scandal