ONE OF THE star Chinese badminton players disqualified from the Olympics for throwing a match has announced she is quitting the sport, saying her dreams had been “heartlessly shattered”.
Yu, who won a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and her partner Wang Xiaoli were disqualified by the Badminton World Federation on Wednesday for “not using one’s best efforts to win a match”.
“This is my last time competing. Goodbye Badminton World Federation, goodbye my beloved badminton,” Yu Yang said on her Weibo, or microblog, late Wednesday. “You have heartlessly shattered our dreams.”
Interviewed before the latest announcement Yu and Wang, who were among China’s star players, winning the world championship in women’s pairs badminton last year, both apologised to fans and pledged to play their best in future matches.
The scandal has been one of the most talked-about subjects on China’s Twitter-like microblogs this week, with many fans calling it a “humiliation” for the national team.
Many responded to Yu’s shock announcement with support and sympathy, although some remained critical.
“Go Yu Yang, never give up!” wrote a user called Zhao Yin. ”This is not your fault, we all understand,” said another using the handle “Water World”.
But another disagreed: “Yu Yang, this is what you deserve, please do not insult the Badminton World Federation or the noble sport of badminton.”
The Olympic match-throwing scandal also saw the Badminton World Federation disqualify two South Korean pairs and one Indonesian duo for trying to lose their first-round games.
The players involved were charged with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport”.
The country’s head badminton coach Li Yongbo said he should take the blame for the incident, which Chinese state media said “violates the Olympic spirit of fair competition.”
“As head coach, I owe the supporters of Chinese badminton and the Chinese TV audiences an apology,” the Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying in London Wednesday.
“Chinese players failed to demonstrate the fine tradition and fighting spirit of the national team. It’s me to blame.”
Yu’s announcement came after the Badminton World Federation announced that the disqualified athletes could continue to compete in future tournaments.
London Olympics chairman Sebastian Coe described the scandal as “unacceptable”.
He must be looking at a chief role somewhere soon, serving his apprentiships well.
@Cathal Carr: is he not the chief here bei g senior coach? Gibbs is director of rugby but has nothing to do with the coaching was my understanding?
@Cathal Carr: he is chief, he’s the coach
@jl: I could well be wrong. My understanding was that Gibbes is top dog. In France and England Director of Rugby is that. Like McCall is DOR, Humphreys, Guy Noves, etc.
Like during the game its shots of Gibbes they show. Pre-game, post game interviews, etc all Gibbes. Again, I could be wrong, but i am certain Gibbes is the chief. He’s Cullen, and ROG is maybe Lancaster.
I love the presumption of Irish rugby fans. O’Gara is leading the best league in europe with a team playing champagne rugby in a region usually known as a tourist hotspot that is blissfully free of tourists right now …He must be gagging for a move to Limerick.
@Viv Chambers: very well put.
@Viv Chambers: agree and hes getting paid a hell of a lot more there. Hes made no secret of his desire to coach in ireland again, whether that is for Munster or Ireland remains to be seen but as is…why would he want to. Building a very strong CV for himself and think it’s a real plus he got away from the Irish bubble.
@Viv Chambers: He can do what he wants. He will want to scratch that itch- both itches, Munster and Ireland- before he has to retire. Later or sooner, doesn’t really matter. I feel I will enjoy every second of him being in charge of each, even if the results aren’t always perfect.