After exits of big names Taufik Hidayat, Lee Chong Wei, Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Anthony Clark/Robert Blair, China's head Li Yongbo said: "The world badminton championships has lost its meaning for China." "It's not good that Taufik and Chong Wei were ousted because I hope China can win the titles against top shuttlers. More tough, more meaningful to China," Li said.
"Why do we pay so much attention to the world championships? Because all the top players compete here. Only they are there and play against us, it's useful for our preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games," he added.
When comparing world championships with Olympics, Li said: "Of course Olympics is more important, I prefer to win one Olympic gold rather than five world titles."
Li tipped big names' exits as abnormal. "They don't take the championships so seriously and they are not well prepared."
Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark and Anthony Clark/Robert Blair of England, top men's doubles pairs, also crashed out.
Source: Xinhua
