What Chen Long said after the gold medal match (part translation)
http://2016.sina.com.cn/china/2016-08-21/doc-ifxvcsrn8792831.shtml :
Post-match, Chen Long who originally said he would answer only one question from the reporters, cheerfully took on all the questions asked, " Indeed, indeed, extremely happy, I myself never thought I could eventually stand on the winner's podium."
In this match, Chen Long was positive and proactive, particularly in the area of attack, reducing Lee CW to passivity. On being able to prevail over Lee CW in two straight sets, Chen Long attributed it to his right mentality, " Really, when it comes to the big match, are tactics and techniques that important ? I don't think so, what's more important is how to get your game going, how to maintain your composure in facing every point, as there's point won, point lost, luck of the net cord for and against you, I feel that keeping the right mentality is more important."
After the prize presentation ceremony, Wang Shixian who specially flew to Rio to cheer for Chen Long, walked over to his side. Chen long placed his gold medal round his girlfriend's neck, WSX held the medal up and looked at it carefully again and again. This gold medal is what she herself equally longed for, having twice consecutively been denied Olympic participation, but at this very moment, we believed WSX's heart is filled with joy because she has indirectly contributed to Chen Long's success, " Of course, she has credit, actually very thankful to her. She arrived on the 11th morning, 5 plus and came straight here to watch my opening match," was how Chen Long responded to Sina Sport's question.
Besides thanking his girlfriend, Chen Long also expressed gratitude to Lee CW and Lin Dan. Talking about Lee CW, Chen Long considered that Lee CW's three Olympic silvers far outweigh one gold medal, " His country, his fans should feel proud of him. Nobody is happy about the loss, but badminton fans can attest to his greatness." Lee CW and Lin Dan's unyielding spirit motivated Chen Long, " The two-setter match lasted over 70 minutes, both sides gave their all, no holding back whatsoever, both wanting to take the gold. Although I won in the end, still I'm grateful to Lee CW. From Lee CW and Lin Dan's hands, we younger players have learnt a lot these years, they never gave up whether in moments of triumph or failure, as always working hard toward their dreams. Today, brother Dan had to play the bronze medal match, actually it's difficult for an athlete , after losing the semifinals one day, to pick himself up the next day in the morning , also the first match, to play for 3rd/4th place, and still make an all-out effort to play. I know what it's like to play for 3rd/4th , the process is unbearable. Many thanks to both of them, thank you !"
" My journey thus far hasn't been plain sailing nor smooth." From rising star to Lin Dan's 'successor'; from world championship one-round trip to twice world champion; from three-time team championship flops to now standing on the summit - Chen Long's path these few years is accompanied by laughter and tears, " I feel the World Championships is once a year, the Olympics is once every four years, how many four years does an athlete's career have, that's why I'm elated to have won gold this time."
