Monday, July 29, 2024
COMPILED BY DIANNE PIERRE | YOHAN NONOTTE & MIKAEL ROPARS/BADMINTONPHOTO
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“I was a dancer and one day we went with my mum to the badminton hall to pick Stefani up and the coach said, ‘When are you coming to badminton?’ My answer was, ‘What is this sport? I’ve never stepped into this place’. Look where I am today. This was 23 years ago. So never say never.” – Gabriela Stoeva
“I’m loving the Paris 2024 crowd. It’s wild. In Tokyo we couldn’t have an audience so this feels very real and very special.” – Chen Yu Fei
“I was so nervous I didn’t know what I was doing out there. I’ve never felt like that. My hands were shaking from the morning. I saw my dad and mum at the venue this morning. My mum had some bread that looked tasty and I tried to pinch a bit of it and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I’m at the Olympics and I won a match. My dream has come true.” –Kodai Naraoka
“When we look back on our journey as partners, we couldn’t imagine playing at the Olympics as a goal. It’s everything we’ve dreamed of and we are taking the whole experience in.” – Liu Sheng Shu.
“It’s like an Olympic fire has been lit inside me. The Olympics signify the top-tier event. I want to present my best to everyone. This will be my last Olympics so I’m going all out.” – Lee Yang
“I’ve been training with Prakash Padukone for more than six months now. I think everything is coming together. We are a team and we work together. He’s a great coach and always tells me what’s required.” – Pusarla V. Sindhu
“It’s an immense pleasure to represent Bulgaria on my back and on my heart at the age of 18.” – Kaloyana Nalbantova
“It’s a great experience. I’ve been part of it for the past few days in the Olympic Village and now playing in the badminton arena. It’s amazing. There were so many people cheering for me. I have some family and friends here, but also the French crowd supported me quite well.” – Tobias Kuenzi
“I was very nervous but thankfully I have Seo (Seung Jae) to guide me for my first Olympics. He trusts me. That takes the pressure off.” – Kang Min Hyuk
“It’s always been a dream to represent India at the Olympics. I’m really lucky to be living this right now.” – Prannoy H. S.
“I think I will have this fire in me until I die. I don’t play badminton just for myself, I play for those who have dreams to achieve this kind of level and to play as good as I can, or even better. I want my country to have the best players in the world, like in Denmark, China, all these countries.” – Ygor Coelho