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Lin Dan focused on a third--consecutive title at Rio Olympics

Xinhua, September 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

In an exclusive interview with Rio2016.com published on Wednesday, Chinese badminton superstar Lin Dan talked about his quest for a third--consecutive title at Rio Olympics.

"I am training hard to prepare for Rio - the Olympics is our main focus now - but I don't want to think too much at this moment about what I might achieve there," Lin said.

Lin may have suffered a set-back in last month's world championships in Indonesia, where his attempt to win a sixth title was ended in the quarter-finals by Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen.

But Lin, known as a showman who rises to the big occasions, will still be among most people's favourites to top the podium in Rio, and thus become the first man to win three consecutive singles titles.

Lin defeated his long-time rival Lee Chong Wei in singles finals at the London Olympics, defending his crown from Beijing Olympics. After clinching the victory, Lin stripped off his shirt and sprinted around the court, grinning and punching the air.

"It was a fantastic moment for me," Lin said. "It's the most memorable moment of my career and it's hard to find words to describe it." So will Lin celebrate in similar style if he wins in Rio? "I am not planning to think about anything but the match - now I am just practising to get it right," he said.

Lin believed that Badminton will for sure be the most popular sport.

"Badminton will absolutely be the most popular sport, there is no question about that," he said. "People like to get together with friends and families to watch the games. I think there will be many Chinese fans in Rio. I really hope they come and support me and the rest of Team China." Endit