For schools broadening their appeal to students who may not be inclined to pick up a basketball, kick a soccer ball or bump a volleyball, Badminton may just be the alternative without compromising aerobic fitness, endurance and flexibility. Contemporary Badminton first appeared in the mid-19^th century and can be traced back to ancient Greece, China, Japan and India.  Especially popular in Europe and Asia, badminton became a full competition sport at the Olympic Games in 1992.  Once considered a slow, low-intensity activity, badminton is now recognized as a quick-moving, explosive interval sport ­much like competitive volleyball.  Today, it is one of the fastest racket sports.