Scottish shuttler Kristy Gilmour was issued a yellow card by the chair umpire for failing to return from bathroom within allotted two-minute bathroom break. Photo: Reuters
The Scottish shuttler, who has competed in three Olympics, had asked the chair umpire for a bathroom break after forcing the decider against World No. 1 Young. However, the chair umpire issued a yellow card to Gilmour for “delaying play” as she failed to return within the allotted two-minute time limit.
Gilmour, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, welcomed the BWF’s ruling, stating that it would allow “leniency” for those who have periods.
The 31-year-old also pointed out that there was “no protocol” in the BWF’s rulebook to deal with such situations.
As per the existing laws of the game, a player cannot leave the court without the chair umpire’s permission. They are allowed a maximum of a two-minute break between games.
When the umpire issued the yellow card to Gilmour, she explained her situation and requested a reversal of the decision, as receiving three yellow cards in BWF events within a year carries a fine of $500. A player could also face suspension if “necessitated by circumstances not within the control of the players.”
Gilmour said the lack of clarification around the laws meant that officials were “making it up on the spot.”
Time For Rule Change?
Meanwhile, BWF Secretary-General Thomas Lund said, “Following an official review by the BWF referee team, the yellow card has since been cancelled, as the delay was caused by the umpire not immediately allowing the player to leave the field of play for the toilet break.”
He also stated that the rules allowed for “a flexible, common-sense application” depending on player needs.
“A yellow card was issued by the umpire for delay upon the player’s return to the field of play,” Lund added.
However, Lund said there was no need to change the existing rules to include period-related breaks during a match.
Gilmour lost the match to Young 12-21, 21-16, 8-21.
Several sports have come up with measures to support players who have periods. The Wimbledon officials relaxed rules around all-white outfits by allowing female competitors to wear mid or dark coloured undershorts to remove anxiety.
