Li Yongbo cautious about China’s prospects at London Olympics 2012 – Badminton news
The Chinese head coach Li Yongbo is evaluating the chances of China to rule the London Olympics and is cautious about its prospects at the mega event.
China is racing for glory with heavyweight squad, contains defending Olympic champion Lin Dan, World Number 3 Chen Long and women’s world champion Wang Yihan, but the coach Li believes that the London is not going to be friendly to his shuttlers as they
are not playing home this time.
Li Yongbo said, “This year we won't have the home-court advantage. Anything can happen at major events like the Olympics ... it is hard to predict, but we will do our best. We are confident, but that doesn't guarantee we will win all the gold medals, as
fans expect.”
China clinched three gold medals in last Beijing Olympics and ensured its supremacy in World Championships last year by claiming all the five crowns. The Chinese star-studded line-up is ready to shine in the London Olympics, starting from last week of July.
The head coach Li Yongbo has been steering his shuttlers for last four Olympics and China actually began rising from the dust under his supervision. The 49-year-old Li is guarded about team's fifth Olympic expedition under his coaching.
He is aware of the fact that it is not going to be smooth sailing for Chinese and hoping that the wind will blow in their favour.
China has formed literally a champion team and they are keenly awaiting World Number 5 shuttler Chen Jin to end Olympic qualification period with fourth spot in world rankings which means three singles Chinese men in the mega event.
Chen Jin needs to surpass World Number 4 Dane Peter Hoeg Gade but he failed to earn some valuable ranking points in German Open and Coach Li Yongbo plays down his chances to make into the top four.
Li said, “The German Open doesn't offer enough points for him. It's really hard for him to get the final pass as there are only two valuable events left on the calendar for him.”
Meanwhile, China has caught the Olympic fever as a main Red Bull tournament is going to be staged from April 7 and nearly 50,000 players are taking part in it.
The event is organised by the national badminton administrative center and prime Chinese shuttlers are also backing the local heroes as Lin Dan sent a special video message from Germany at the launching of this event.
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