Badminton men's doubles world champion Cai Yun vowed here today to play his
best games on home soil at the impending Beijing Olympics.
"It could be the last Olympic Games I would take part in, and I will try my
best to reach a happy ending," said 28-year-old Cai, who clinched the title at
2006 World Championships with his long-time partner Fu Haifeng.
Cai and Fu were pitted against Danish veterans Jens Eriksen and Martin
Lundgaard Hansen, who stopped them from entering the semifinals at Athens
Olympics.
The Danish pair, however, retreated to their low ebb recently due to their
age disadvantage. Hansen is 35 years old, while his partner Eriksen, aged 38, is
the most experienced shuttler for the tournament.
But Cai didn't underestimate the stamina of the Danish veterans, who claimed
they are still in good form after training yesterday, even better when compared
with Athens.
"All pairs who succeeded in seating themselves at the tournament are very
strong. Men's doubles games are very open, and every pair has a chance to win,"
said Cai, who will play his first match on August 12 at the Beijing University
of Technology Gymnasium.