Xinhua News Agency, Paris, April 17 (Reporter Zhang Baihui Xiao Yazhuo) On the 17th, on the occasion of the 100-day countdown to the Paris Olympic Games, the "Four Heavenly Kings" of badminton Lin Dan, Taufik, Li Chongwei and Gade gathered at the Eiffel Tower to participate in badminton charity activities. The Chinese and French guests expressed their best wishes for the Olympic Games and their expectations for future exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
The event, titled "Paris 100 Franco-Chinese Badminton Charity Ceremony", was initiated by Olympic champion Lin Dan and was held in Paris on April 17-18. During the event, the "Four Heavenly Kings" gathered at the Eiffel Tower in Paris for an exhibition match. At the same time, the four players also interacted with young badminton players from all over the world, athletes from the French team and representatives of Chinese and French entertainment stars, and participated in charity auctions and dinners.
At the press conference on the 17th, Lin Dan, Taufik, Li Zongwei, Gade and other guests unveiled the event. Sun Wenxiong, President of the Federation of Asian American Societies in France, read a congratulatory letter sent by French Sports Minister Castella for the event. In the letter, Castella expressed his sincere appreciation for this initiative aimed at promoting the sport of badminton, especially as Paris is about to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As the initiator of this event, retired sports star Lin Dan said that on the occasion of the 100-day countdown to the Paris Olympic Games, he hopes to use this event to convey the tenacious and indomitable sportsmanship and Olympic spirit.
When it comes to the upcoming Olympic Games, Lin Dan believes that Chinese badminton players are capable of winning more than two gold medals. He believes that the level of badminton in France, especially in the men's singles, has improved significantly, and wishes the French team good results in the Olympic Games.
Lin Dan has won two Olympic men's singles titles. After retiring in 2020, Lin Dan is committed to making more young people fall in love with badminton. For the future, Lin Dan expressed his hope to promote more badminton exchanges between Chinese and French youths, and welcomed young French people to come to China to communicate, compete and train with excellent Chinese coaches and athletes.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and the event is supported by the Chinese Embassy in France, the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou, the French Badminton Association and the Shenzhen Badminton Association.
John Purnell, president of the French Badminton Association, said in an interview with reporters that sports have multiple dimensions such as competition, health, education, and economy, and this event is at the intersection of all the above dimensions. "We need this kind of 'event' that combines sport and entertainment, which is exactly what is lacking in the development of our sport. He said that the four legends of Lin Dan, Tawfik, Lee Chong Wei and Gade are role models for young people, and he hopes that through them, as many young people as possible can get involved in the sport.
"We are happy to strengthen ties with the Chinese Badminton Association, welcome Chinese badminton fans to France, and welcome French badminton fans to China to explore its glory in various fields." ”