Kuala Lumpur: National badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei wants to make the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games as the most memorable in his life by winning the gold medal.
“This is not only my dream but also the dream of all Malaysians. I have to make the best preparation since this is my last Olympic Games,” he told Malaysia media.
Rio Olympic Games in Brazil is the fourth for Chong Wei after 2004 Athens in Greece, 2008 Beijing in China and 2012 London in United Kingdom.
Chong Wei, 33, left Athens empty handed after exiting the second round at the hands of Chen Hong of China.
Four years later, Chong Wei came close to winning Malaysia’s first gold medal in Beijing when he made it to the final only to lose to Lin Dan of China.
In London, Chong Wei’s attempt for the gold medal was again within reach but he was again thwarted by Lin Dan and had to settle for the silver medal.
Chong Wei said the focus of his training is on mental and physical aspects.
“I want to be really prepared since this is my final Olympics,” he said.
In addition to the desire to win the gold medal, Chong Wei also want to savour the excitement of the Olympics, something he did not experience in the past since he was busy preparing for matches.
“Being the flag bearer of Jalur Gemilang in Rio during the opening ceremony will give me the opportunity to savour the excvitement of the Olympic Games.”
Chong Wei said it would be a loss if he missed the opening ceremony of the Olympics as world focus would be on the flag bearer and the Malaysian athletes.
The player from Bukit Mertajam, Penang, appreciated the honour given to him as flag bearer by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
— BERNAMA
