Final answer:
The statement about the BAE starting the "All England Open Badminton Championships" in 1899 is true. The event was significant in popularizing badminton. Sports figures like Jim Thorpe and Babe Ruth also became prominent, influencing the popularity of their sports.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the BAE (Badminton Association of England) started the first badminton competition and called it the "All England Open Badminton Championships" for gentlemen's singles and ladies' singles in 1899 is true. The All England Open Badminton Championships indeed played a significant role in popularizing badminton as a sport. This event was crucial in setting the stage for future badminton competitions and helped elevate the sport to an international level. In addition to badminton, during the early 20th century, several sports figures gained fame for their remarkable achievements.
For instance, Jim Thorpe became known as one of the world's greatest athletes, excelling in multiple sports and medaling in the 1912 Olympic Games. Similarly, athletes like Gertrude Ederle, who became the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926, and Babe Ruth, the American baseball hero, became household names for their sports accomplishments. These sports stars elevated the popularity and significance of their respective sports, making them pivotal figures in sports history.