China News Agency, Beijing, July 4 (Reporter Xing Chong) Lin Dan, a famous Chinese badminton player who has repeatedly won the Olympic Games and World Championships, announced his retirement on the 4th, ending his 20-year national team career.
In the 2012 London Olympics badminton men's singles final, Chinese player Lin Dan held a flag salute to celebrate the championship. Image source: Osports All Sports Pictures
Lin Dan entered the national team in 2000, won the men's singles championship in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and successfully defended the title in the 2012 London Olympics. He also won the world championship men's singles five times. As the main player, Lin Dan won 6 Thomas Cup championships and 5 Sudirman Cup mixed team championships for the Chinese team.
After entering the Tokyo Olympics cycle, due to his age and injuries, Lin Dan's competitive state has gone downhill, and he has encountered "one round of travel" in international events many times (the first round of competition was eliminated). However, he has repeatedly stated that he hopes to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
In the 2020 season, Lin Dan's status has not improved, and he has encountered "a round of tour" three times. The All England match in March this year was regarded as a key opportunity for Lin Dan to win Olympic points, but he still lost to Chen Long by 0:2 in the second round.
According to the rules of the Tokyo Olympics badminton competition, one of the 34 places in the men's singles association can only have a maximum of 2 seats. Lin Dan is already at a great disadvantage in the competition with Chen Long and Shi Yuqi, and the hope of participating in the Olympic Games for the fifth time is very slim.
"After going through the four Olympic journeys, I have never thought about leaving, and I don't want to think about it. I dedicate everything to this sport that I love." Although I made the decision to retire, Lin Dan still expressed his respect for the stadium. Unfortunately, he said that he simply pursued rankings when he was young, and he wanted to challenge the physical limits of an "old" athlete in these years and practice the sports spirit of never giving up.
Lin Dan admitted that at 37 years old, his physical fitness and pain no longer allow himself to fight side by side with his teammates. "There is gratitude, reluctance, reluctance, and frustration. In the days to come, I hope to have more time to spend with my family, and I will also look for a new'court'."
The reporter learned from the China Badminton Association that Lin Dan had indeed submitted a formal retirement report. Taking into account Lin Dan's personal wishes and his current actual situation, the Chinese badminton team agreed to Lin Dan's application for retirement.
Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association, said that Lin Dan's performance in training and competition over the years and his achievements are enough to prove that he is an excellent athlete. "I hope that Lin Dan's new life after retirement will go well, and I hope he will not stay away from badminton and continue to work hard to promote badminton in a new way." (End)