Anders Antonsen, who is ranked third by badminton’s top governing body, said in a social media post that he decided not to compete due to Delhi’s poor air quality.
Advertisement
The Danish player added that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) fined him $5,000 (£3,900) for withdrawing.
Antonsen also shared a screenshot from Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir showing Delhi’s air quality index at 348 on Wednesday, a level categorized as “very poor”.
“Due to the extreme pollution currently in Delhi, I don’t think it is a place to host a badminton tournament,” he wrote.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be better in the summer when the World Championships are held in Delhi.”
This is the third year in a row that Antonsen has skipped the tournament. His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of conditions at the India Open, one of the key stops on the world badminton calendar.
The tournament is held in Delhi during the winter months, when air pollution in the city worsens to dangerous levels due to a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction dust and smoke from burning crop residue in neighboring states.
Advertisement
Delhi typically ranks among the world’s most polluted cities at this time of year, with air quality index (AQI) readings typically falling into the “severe” category. Prolonged exposure to such levels is linked to respiratory irritation, reduced lung function, and increased risk for athletes engaging in high-intensity outdoor training.
Antonsen’s decision came after criticism of the venue from compatriot Mia Blichfeldt, who expressed concerns about hygiene and training conditions.
He shared images online highlighting issues inside the stadium, including cleaning issues, sparking a wider debate about whether the event meets international standards.
“I am happy with the conditions of the field but not with the health conditions,” she said. The Indian Express.
Advertisement
“The floors are dirty and there is a lot of dirt on the courts. Also, there are birds flying in the sand, there is also bird droppings.”
The shuttlers’ comments have sparked mixed reactions in India. Some local officials and former players defended the tournament, arguing that indoor competition venues are largely insulated from outside pollution and that adequate measures have been made for players.
India’s badminton federation has said the event meets international requirements and accused foreign players of exaggerating conditions.
Association general secretary Sanjay Mishra said the main playing field had been kept clean, free of dirt and pigeons, and that several players had expressed satisfaction with the conditions, Firstpost reported.
Advertisement
“As an athlete more sensitive to dust and environmental factors, I shared a personal perspective on how the conditions can sometimes affect your health,” Mishra told Firstpost.
The pollution issue has repeatedly arisen across sports, and in recent years cricketers, footballers and marathon runners have also raised concerns about competing in the capital during peak pollution season.
Air pollution became an international embarrassment for India during Lionel Messi’s tour in December, when his flight was delayed due to smog and reduced visibility, and his appearance at the Delhi stadium alongside Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was overshadowed by chants of “AQI, AQI” by a group of angry residents.
Delhi’s winter pollution is not unusual. Each year, colder temperatures and calmer winds trap pollutants near the ground, creating thick smog that can linger for days. Schools are often closed, construction activities curtailed, and traffic restrictions imposed when air quality deteriorates dramatically.
Advertisement
The India Open controversy adds to broader questions about how international sporting events should respond to environmental risks, particularly as climate change and urban pollution increasingly affect host cities.
Antonsen has not indicated whether he will return to the tournament in the coming years.