Olympics: Lee under pressure for final badminton bid

Lee Chong Wei training for the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics in Kuala Lumpur on July 8, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

(AFP) - Badminton's veteran world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei said on Sunday (July 31) he is feeling the pressure ahead of his final bid for an elusive Olympic gold medal.

Malaysia's Lee lost the last two Olympic finals to his archrival Lin Dan of China. And at 33, he knows Rio will be his last shot at a gold in the Games.

"I feel more pressure on my shoulders as after the next four years I think I have no chance, so this is my last chance," Lee said in Rio de Janeiro.

Lee, who has never won a world or Olympic title, has fought his way back to the top of the rankings after returning from a doping ban last year.

He is seeded to meet Lin in the semi-finals, with China's world No. 2 Chen Long playing in the other half of the draw.

Lee has plenty of time to acclimatise to conditions in Rio, as the Olympic badminton competition does not start until Aug 11.

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