Ye Zhaoying returned to the events of the Sydney Olympics.
Ye Zhaoying photographed in 1999. PDO
Two-time badminton world champion Ye Zhaoying says in an interview with Denmark’s TV2 that he got into a dire situation at the Sydney Olympics 22 years ago.
Ye was one of the favorite names in women’s badminton, but the woman’s teammate was considered even stronger Gong Zhichao. Before the women met in the semifinals of the tournament, the Chinese team management made a decision about which of them is the better option to challenge Denmark by Camilla Martin in the final match.
According to his own account, Ye was ordered to lose to his countryman.
– They said that it should look like I wouldn’t lose on purpose. But at the same time, they wanted me not to tire Gong Zhichao too much, says Ye, now 48.
The alleged plan was against the ethics of the sport, but it worked perfectly, as Gong defeated Martin and got to celebrate the Olympic gold. Ye, on the other hand, won the third Chinese star of the sport in the bronze medal match Dai Yun’s.
Ye, who remained at the top of the sport throughout the 90s, was no longer able to brighten up his bronze, as he ended his career after the Sydney tournament.
The disclosure claim spawned a cold response from the Chinese embassy in Denmark.
– He (Ye) has always been anti-China. His statements do not deserve a response, the mission was informed.
Ye currently lives in Málaga with her husband and former soccer star Hao Haidong’s with.