INQUIRER Sports

BEIJING -- One of the world's richest men, Bill Gates, dropped in to watch the Olympic badminton action Monday, and liked what he saw.

The Microsoft founder took a seat in the VIP box to see China's champion Bao Chunlai down Guatemala's Kevin Cordon 2-0 in the men's singles in front of a cheering Chinese crowd.

The multibillionaire signed "Badminton is Great!! Bill Gates" on a piece of paper for one of the officials accompanying him before leaving after the match at the Beijing University of Technology gymnasium.

The philanthropist, with an estimated $58 billion to his name, said he was impressed with the day's action.

"It was great, I was very impressed," the Microsoft founder told reporters before being whisked away in a black four-wheel-drive.

Asked if he was a badminton fan, Gates replied: "I became one."