Evans clinches Olympics ticket

IRELAND’s top badminton player, Scott Evans, was last night celebrating Olympic qualification.

The 21-year-old Dublin native secured his place in Beijing after advancing to 43rd in the world rankings.

Evans, a former Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star, is based in Denmark where he plays in the highly competitive Danish leagues.

The Irish Olympic manager Dermot Henihan welcomed Scott and Badminton Ireland’s team manager Donal O’Halloran onto the national team.

“Scott is a superb young player who will use his Beijing experience as an important step in his preparations for his main focus, the London 2012 Olympics.”

Meanwhile, Badminton Ireland chiefs are hoping talented Donegal native Chloe Magee may be joining Evans in China.

She is in second reserve position in the Beijing rankings of the Badminton World Federation.