FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 25, 1996

VON HEILAND AND FRENCH FALL, U.S. EXITS OLYMPIC BADMINTON COMPETITION

(ATLANTA, Ga.) -- The U.S. completed its exit from the 1996 Olympic
badminton competition today, as Erika Von Heiland (Anaheim, Calif.)
and  Linda French (Elmhurst, Ill.) lost 15-4, 15-1 to the 3rd world
ranked Danish duo of  Lisbet Stuer-Lauridsen and Marlene Thomsen in
the opening round of  women's doubles at Georgia State University.

The first game went somewhat well for the two-time Olympians, as they 
took a surprising 4-3 lead behind some excellent net play from French.  
Perhaps that was a wake-up call the Danes needed, as they won 12 
consecutive points to take the first 15-4.  The second was all Denmark, 
with Thomsen dominating the net and partner Thomsen smashing very 
effectively from the backcourt.

"I think in the beginning they [Denmark] were not very aggressive  But 
when Marlene went to the net, they played much better," said French.  
"They are so strong, and when they turned up their pace we really had 
trouble catching up."  

Although the duo was disappointed in defeat, they tried to remain 
positive.

"It's been a great ride, our triumph has been in the struggle to get 
here.  I was very proud to represent the U.S. on the court today," said 
French.

Today's match will likely be the last for Von Heiland and French as a 
doubles team, but complete retirement does not appear to be in either 
players future.

"I'm semi-retired," said French.  "I think I'll continue to play 
internationally, only with one of our younger players to help them grow 
and develop."  

"I don't know what's in my badminton future," said Von Heiland  "I feel 
I played very well in singles here.  If there was a tournament next 
week, I'd definitely play."

Yesterday, American Kevin Han (Colorado Springs, Colo.) fell in the 
first round of men's singles to Great Britain's Peter Knowles 2-15, 15-
10, 15-7, while Von Heiland was defeated in women's singles by Chinese-
Taipei's Jeng Shwu-Zen 11-2, 11-6.

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