Wednesday, July 31, 2024
COMPILED BY DIANNE PIERRE | YOHAN NONOTTE & MIKAEL ROPARS/BADMINTONPHOTO
SHARE
“After our losses against the Japanese and the Koreans, I really struggled mentally. It’s such a big stage and I’ve never been here before. I couldn’t control my nerves and I went up to my parents in the crowd. They were really supportive, telling me, ‘play your best, you play so well, you cannot hold back now’.” – Angela Yu
“Coming into the Olympics, we really wanted to top the group. We wanted to get this win and it really boosts our confidence we could beat Alfian and Ardianto. They are a top pair and we’ve always had tough battles with them. I’m really happy to progress.” – Chirag Shetty
“I’ve never played in front of a crowd like this. I felt the support of all my family and those who came to support me. It was amazing, it’s an experience I’m never going to forget.” – Ines Lucia Castillo Salazar
“Although it was our third match in Paris, I was still nervous. Wang Chi-Lin was calming me down and if I didn’t look nervous then I hid it well. The Americans put a lot of pressure on us as there was a lot riding on this match.” – Lee Yang
“I’ve seen older players that have had good results. It comes thanks to better sponsorship, better materials and we want to give visibility (to the idea) that players over 35 years old can be among the best in the world.” – Pablo Abian
“LA 2028 is a long way away, but it’s a dream. I love the sport and I love playing with Angela, so let’s see what happens.” – Setyana Mapasa
“I was really inspired by Maiken Fruergaard and Sara Thygesen‘s performances. They are my roommates so I’ve been cheering for them a lot and I cried yesterday because I was so happy for them. I’m really proud of them. I know how difficult it can be for them sometimes so I’m happy they have this success. We are here to represent Denmark and it’s amazing for them to play for their country with this kind of crowd.” – Mia Blichfeldt
“Badminton isn’t a popular sport yet in Nigeria, but I was inspired to play. My brother trains me and I’m hoping to build the popularity of the sport back home.” – Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori
“The fact that we’ve put on a strong face and have the courage to come and fight another day, comes with a lot of support. In the Athletes’ Village, she’s the only person who stood by my side. Ashwini (Ponnappa) talks to me about our matches and motivates me and we come out every day with such strong will and determination.” – Tanisha Crasto
“I don’t think I can go for a fourth Olympics. It hasn’t been easy for the journey to get here. It takes its toll. So, it’s the last one for me, having played for so long.” – Ponnappa
“I was thinking about retiring, but I will keep going and try for 2028. In the second game, I told myself we are here at the Olympics, we have to fight, no one is going to give anything for free, so let’s go forward, let’s face it.” – Luis Ramon Garrido
“It’s my first Olympics but as I got more into the match, the nerves wore off and I’m happy to win my first match. I love badminton and I’m happy to be the only men’s singles player from Vietnam. It’s such a popular sport in Vietnam, it’s played in the parks all the time and I hope Vietnamese people see me back home and are inspired.” – Le Duc Phat
Le hopes to inspire badminton players in his country.