Malaysia’s coach has blamed faulty air conditioning for causing Lee Chong Wei to cramp up and pull out of the world badminton final.
Chinese superstar Lin Dan took the title for a record fifth time as his arch-rival and world No 1 retired with Lin on the brink of victory and the score at 16-21, 21-13, 20-17 in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
The rivalry between the two greats has headlined men’s singles for years, but Lin has continually got the better of Lee in high-profile events, and Sunday’s episode adds to the list of world and Olympic finals defeats Lee has suffered at Lin’s hands.
National singles coach Tey Seu Bock lashed out over a decision to shut off the air conditioning during the second game of the final. The move followed earlier complaints that the venue was too draughty.
Lee was among those who mentioned the draught earlier in the tournament. "A defeat is a defeat. I can accept it, but I cannot tolerate the organisers switching off the air conditioner in the second game," Tey told Malaysia's The Star newspaper on Monday.
He said Lee became dehydrated, causing him to suffer cramps.
“It was so hot inside ... This is not right. The players were suffering. At one point, Chong Wei was struggling to breathe,” Tey said.
He also complained the tournament’s schedule gave Lee less rest before the final than Lin, the reigning world and Olympic champion.
Lee, 30, had hoped to become the first Malaysian badminton world champion and to finally break the Lin hex.
Lin, 29, widely regarded as the game’s greatest player ever, had beaten Lee in the previous world singles final and the two last Olympic finals.
– Agence France-Presse