Olympics' delay weighs heavily on older athletes
Share - WeChat
Lin Dan
Age: 36
Event: Badminton
Despite the possibility that badminton's Olympic qualifying process will be extended now that the Games have been delayed, it remains a long shot for Lin to make the top-16 cut to qualify for his fifth Olympics in Tokyo. The fast-paced racquet sport's highly physical nature has proved too much for the two-time Olympic champion to compete consistently at the level he needs to accumulate enough ranking points.
The five-time singles world champion, who won Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games, has seen his power wane out, underlined by 21 first-round losses at international events since his last standout run at a major event – reaching the final of the 2017 world championships.
Most Popular
- China dominates Winter Paralympics with 6 golds, leads medal tally
- Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics opens at Verona Arena
- Nation's Winter Paralympics squad is its biggest ever
- China to send 70 athletes to Milan-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games
- China announces largest-ever delegation for 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy
- Chinese men's basketball team beats Japan
Highlights
What's Hot





























