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LONDON. — Badminton has severed ties with SportAccord, adding its name to a fast-growing exodus of sports abandoning the umbrella organisation following a scathing attack by its chief on the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has suspended its membership of SportAccord with immediate effect until further notice,” the BWF said in a statement yesterday.

“It follows BWF’s strong disagreement with (SportAccord president Marius) Vizer’s comments about the International Olympic Committee and IOC president Thomas Bach at the annual SportAccord Convention last month.”

Vizer, who also heads the judo federation, accused the IOC of a lack of transparency, blocking the creation of new sports events and being a dated organisation that did little for international federations. — Reuters.