london olympics badminton chinese doubles controversy
China'south badminton players may have completed an unprecedented make clean sweep of all five titles at the London Olympics but the sport has still made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
After such an emphatic stop to the tournament, the Chinese squad poured onto the court on Sunday, waving and bowing to the chanting audience.
The sheer joy and excitement was in contrast to the deject of controversy that hung over badminton final week when eight players - including Prc's earth number ane pairing - were expelled from the women's doubles for failing to endeavor hard enough in an attempt to secure an easier draw in the knockout phase.
But there are existent fears that the scandal will non only eclipse China's aureate achievements in London but impairment the sport's reputation long after the Games are over.
A commentary on China's popular portal website Sina.com asked: "Why on earth [did] China stage a farce of trying to lose a lucifer given that it's capable of winning all the golds? It shows that China is not potent enough. It has damaged China'due south image."
China'south former basketball star Yao Ming told the official Xinhua news agency: "If a golden medal is immune to surpass our values, then I can only say that our values are inferior to the gold medal."
But speaking to the Chinese media on Sunday, Liu Fengyan, the managing director of Communist china'due south Table Tennis and Badminton Administration, said: "The punishment of women's doubles made their team-mates more determined to win. The team's morale and mindset have not been affected. Instead, they are more motivated."
It seems Liu cannot talk most the success without mentioning the match-fixing scandal. The incident cast a shadow on Communist china's badminton team and might yet haunt them.
Before the men's singles final on Sunday, the chief of Badminton's World Federation (BWF) announced an investigation into players and coaches involved in the scandal.
Thomas Lund said: "The judicial process will include a total evaluation on all accounts, including the players and the players' entourages."
That may well implicate Li Yongbo, head coach of China'due south badminton team. China's media widely reported that Li should shoulder the blame as the players but did what they were told to do.
The parents of Yu Yang, one of the butterfingers players, told the media: "I don't recall she would have done it on her own initiative".
Cathay's Olympic Committee also promised to launch its own investigation and accept further action over anyone implicated. Details of what that means are meagre but the Chinese are facing increasing pressure from the BWF, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the public.
The BWF executive board will meet in November to fully evaluate the incident. IOC President Jacques Rogge also hinted that his organisation would arbitrate if needed.
Lin Dan, winner of the men's singles, brushed aside the scandal. He said: "The athletes are trying their all-time to win."
The Chinese competitor and then asked the media to help promote badminton get a real international sport, not but in Asia.
His concluding against Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei seemingly represents the end of i of the sport's greatest rivalries.
Lin, arguably the best badminton histrion in the earth, became the first histrion to defend his Olympic title by beating Lee 15-21, 21-ten, 21-nineteen.
With 15 world titles under his belt, Lin is one of the globe'south most decorated players merely the 29-year-quondam seems prepare to air current down his illustrious career.
"I want to take a break earlier thinking about my future," he said. "Unless I have a very clear target, I don't remember I can continue to play every bit it becomes a brunt."
While in that location is some ambiguity about Lin'southward futurity, his Malaysian arch-rival, Lee Chong Wei, has announced that he would exist retiring after the London Olympics.
There is a lot for Lee to think most, in particular Communist china's dominance in badminton.
"It's full domination. It's adept for Communist china only for the residue of the countries, they have to work harder."
Every bit for Lin, he said his next "headache" involves wedding arrangements. Lin married former earth champion Xie Xingfang only chose to postpone the celebrations until afterwards the Olympics.
"I'd like to invite Lee Chong Wei, (Pete) Gade and Taufik (Hidayat) to my wedding," he joked. "They don't need to give me presents, but a carmine envelope (with money) will do".
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