RIA Novosti: Medvedev says badminton players ‘make quick decisions’

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has spoken of his love for badminton in a video on his official blog.

“This game develops your physical form, eye coordination, accuracy and reactions,” he said in the three-minute clip, during which he was featured playing badminton with his mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. “Those who play badminton well, take decisions quickly.”

“Badminton is played at home, on the street, in the school and at university sports halls,” Medvedev, posing in a sport kit and holding a badminton racket, said. “It would seem that everyone knows this sport, but on the other hand only a few people can play it for real.”

“Badminton is played in almost every country in the world,” he added, pointing out that Russia was no exception. He also said that Russian cosmonaut Yury Gagarin was a keen badminton player.

“I hope that, having watched this film, you will feel more desire to play badminton, and we will have more success in this wonderful game,” the president added.

"Badminton really is a wonderful game!" wrote Sergei, from northern Russia's Arkhangelsk region, in the comments section.