Beijing: The two-time Olympic gold medalist, Lin Dan announced his retirement from badminton on Saturday after a 20-year professional career.
The 37-year-old five-time World champion confirmed the decision through his social media page, saying his body and injury could no longer allow him to compete at the highest level after struggling with lackluster results for much of the past two years.
Below is the translated version of his retirement announcement:
“From 2000 to 2020, it’s been 20 years, and I have to say goodbye to the national team. It’s something so hard to say.
In 2000, I was excited and proud to be the “Lin Dan of the Chinese Team”. My family, coaches, teammates, and fans have been by my side through all the ups and downs. Every jumping smash represented my desire for victory. After going through four Olympics, I have never thought about leaving, nor would I want to think about it. I have dedicated all my love to this sport. “Perseverance”, something I always told myself when I was facing failures or disappointments while also trying to prolong my career. Rather than simply pursuing the world rankings, I preferred to push the physical limits of an “old” athlete and display a real fighting spirit and never give up until the last race is run.
At 37 years old, my physical fitness and injury could no longer allow me to fight side by side with my teammates. I am having the feeling of gratefulness, unwillingness, and sometimes helpless. In the days to come, I hope to spend more time with my family, and I will also look for a new “arena”.
I would like to thank my country, my coaches, my family, and my fans. I would like to also thank all my opponents to help push me to become a better player. I also want to say to all of you who are chasing your dreams, always maintain the desire for achieving success, load the bow with an arrow, and let go!
Generations come and generations go, I look forward to hearing the national anthem constantly being played at medal ceremonies, and I look forward to the familiar and new faces on the podium. No one can stay young forever, but for sure, there are always young people, who are passionate and could forge ahead with courage …
Best,
Lin Dan”
Here is the Chinese version of his retirement announcement:
“2000-2020，整整20年，我也要跟国家队说再见了，原来说出口真的很难。
2000年，我为成为了“中国队的林丹”兴奋又自豪。我的家人、教练、队友还有球迷陪我度过了很多个巅峰时刻和艰难的低谷时期，每一次奋力地跳杀都是对胜利的渴望。走过四个奥运征程，一直没有想过离开，也不愿去想。我把一切都献给了这项热爱的运动。“坚持”，每个煎熬的时刻我对自己说，让自己的体育生涯可以拉得更长一些。比起年少单纯地追求名次，这些年我更想挑战一个“老”运动员的身体极限，实践永不放弃的体育精神。
37岁的我，体能和伤痛已经不再允许自己和队友并肩作战了。有感恩、有不舍、有不甘也有无奈。之后的日子，我希望有更多的时间陪伴家人，也会去寻找新的“赛场”。
感恩国家成就了我，感恩教练栽培了我，感恩家人陪伴着我，感恩球迷们支持着我，还要感谢优秀的“对手”们激励着我。我也想对所有正在努力追求梦想的你们说，永远保持渴望，把弓拉满，放手去搏！
热血不灭，步履不停。我期待国歌在赛场上不断地响起，期待熟悉和崭新的面孔不断地走上领奖台。没有人永远年轻，但总有人年轻着，热爱着，奋进着…
敬礼，林丹”
BadmintonPlanet.com would like to wish Lin Dan a wonderful retirement! You will be missed!
