BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) - Former Olympic champion Poul-Erik Hoyer has issued a warning that badminton's Olympic future is at stake and that it must broaden its horizons if it is to survive within the movement.

Remaining in the Olympics is so important for badminton's funding, development and prestige that it is hard to see how the sport would continue making progress without it.

Asia makes by far the biggest contribution to the sport, and without other

continents being able to do more it is debatable how the International Olympic Committee would view badminton's position within the Olympic movement, Hoyer thinks.

"Our Olympic status has definitely been put at risk," warned the Dane who caused a sensation by winning the men's singles gold medal at Atlanta in 1996. "I do believe that's one of the core issues."