FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 1996

DAYS UNTIL THE OLYMPIC GAMES - 23
DAILY U.S. BADMINTON OLYMPIC PRESS RELEASE 
TOPIC - ALL IN THE FAMILY - THE FRENCH'S

(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) - Although Linda French (Elmhurst, Ill.)
will achieve a U.S. badminton first this summer by competing in her
second consecutive Olympic Games, success in the sport of badminton is
nothing new to the French family.  Grandfather Elmer Rettig started it
all as one of the founding fathers of the U.S Badminton Association in
1936.  From there the badminton torch was passed to his daughter
Janet, as she and husband Paul were active as club level players in
Chicago area during the 1950s-60s.  The pair would soon bring their
young children Ann (La Jolla, Calif.), Marty (Manhattan Beach,
Calif.), and Linda along with them to play as well.

"If we went to the club and yelled and carried on, people would get
mad at us," said Ann.   "But if we picked up a racket and played, no
one would get upset, so we learned pretty quickly how to play."

And play Ann did, winning a total of three National women's doubles
titles from 1991-1996, her most recent coming this past March at the
U.S. Nationals in Atlanta.  Although a National Team  member for ten
years (1985-1995) and a participant on several World Championship
Teams, the prized Olympic invitation is one of the few which has
eluded her.  Ann will serve as Team Leader at the 1996 Games, but with
the competitive fire still burning inside of her, has mixed emotions
in doing so.

"I would have preferred to go as a player, but in 1992 I was deemed
too old and not given a chance to qualify.  I have had many good
experiences as a member of the National Team though, and overall I am
happy just to be a part of the Games."

Brother Marty, a former World Championship team member and junior
national champion, served the role as Team Leader at the 1992 Games.
Although retired from competitive play, he still remains very active
in badminton, as current USBA Vice President and chair of the Olympic
Player Development Committee.  During his term as USBA President from
1989-1992, he was instrumental in the establishment of the USBA's 2004
Program, whose aim is to develop an Olympic medalist in the year 2004.


Although an Olympic medal is highly unlikely for Team USA this year,
look for all of the Frenches to play a major role in the development
of the U.S. player that eventually does.

(FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT PAUL PAWLACZYK, USBA
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT 719-578-4808, E-MAIL: USBA1996@aol.com)