Paris, July 20, 2024, The Europe Today: Upon arriving in Paris on Saturday, Zhang Jun, president of the Chinese Badminton Association, expressed strong confidence in his team’s preparedness for the upcoming Olympic Games.
“We are very familiar with the city, having participated in the Olympic test event in March this year and the French Open annually,” Zhang remarked.
“The players are well-prepared. We’ll follow our plan to attend our training camp and then move into the Olympic Village,” he added, highlighting the structured approach the team will follow in the lead-up to the competition.
Before arriving in Paris, the Chinese badminton team underwent three months of intensive training, which Zhang praised for its effectiveness. “We had a long training period, during which we played the Thomas and Uber Cup and several tournaments in Southeast Asia. Currently, the players are in good form and have met the expected training outcomes,” he said.
The badminton competition is set to take place from July 27 to August 5, giving the Chinese team a week to acclimate and prepare. Zhang outlined the team’s immediate goals to Xinhua News Agency, stating, “Our main goals this week are to adjust to the jet lag and climate, and to practice at the venues to regain the feeling we had during the test event. Additionally, we will conduct thorough analyses of our main opponents.”
Women’s singles player Chen Yufei, who is defending her Olympic title, emphasized the importance of maintaining her physical condition and focusing on her diet in the coming days. “This is my second Olympics, and although I have more experience, my excitement level is the same as last time,” she shared. “I saw a beautiful sunrise when I got off the plane, which could bode well for us.”
As the team settles into Paris, the athletes and coaching staff are dedicated to fine-tuning their preparations, ensuring they are in peak condition for the Olympic Games.
