Jayce
With the Olympics approaching, we are thrilled to spotlight several European badminton players making their Olympic debuts. The European Badminton Association aims to put them in the fans’ spotlight, making everyone equally excited to watch their performances on the grandest stage.
We interviewed Ukrainian women’s singles player Polina Buhrova, Swiss women’s singles player Jenjira Stadelmann, and Czech men’s doubles players Ondřej Král and Adam Mendrek. They shared their excitement, expectations, and cherished memories as they prepare for the Olympics:
Polina Buhrova (Ukraine)
Q: This is your first Olympics! What are your expectations?
“I’m excited because it’s my first Olympics. I’m looking forward to the competition because the atmosphere will definitely be amazing. Playing alongside athletes from all countries is already an achievement.”
Q: How do you balance the goal of qualifying for the Olympics and performing well in the Olympics?
“I’m not under pressure. I just want to showcase my best on the court and enjoy the games.”
Q: As a fan, what are some of your favorite Olympic moments from a distance?
“I remember the final between the two legends, Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei, in Beijing. It was truly spectacular.”
Q: You will face strong opponents like Tereza Švábíková from the Czech Republic and Gregoria Tunjung from Indonesia in your group. What can fans look forward to in your matches?
“Our group matches won’t be easy, but I will fight hard as always, and of course, the best team will win.”
Ondřej Král / Adam Mendrek (Czechia)
Q: What experience are you most looking forward to as you prepare for your first Olympics?
Mendrek: “I am incredibly excited about this Olympics. It’s the pinnacle of sports and the absolute peak for me as a badminton player. It’s an opportunity to fulfill a sporting dream I’ve had since I started playing. I look forward to representing our country in the badminton championships and other sports and competing against the best athletes in the world. I’m also looking forward to the opening ceremony, which I believe will be spectacular.”
Král: “I’m looking forward to competing against the best players in the world. The qualification process was very tough, and now I’m looking forward to enjoying the experience and atmosphere both on and off the court.”
Q: How do you balance the pride of qualifying for the Olympics and the pride of performing well at the Olympics?
Mendrek: “Qualifying itself was a huge surprise for us. In fact, for everyone. This was not our initial goal, and it was only after our biggest success (the Arctic Open Super 500 quarter-finals) that we realized, under the right conditions, one or two lower-ranked pairs might have a chance to qualify. And it happened! Ondra and I became the first Czech pair in history to achieve this, which is incredible! As for our goals in the tournament, we are realistic and aware of the competition in men’s doubles. We have made every effort during our preparations and will do our best to represent Czechia.”
Král: “We are now focused on performing our best in the group stage. The level in men’s doubles is very high, and every match will be a big challenge.”
Q: Looking back at your time as an Olympic fan, can you share a memorable Olympic event?
Mendrek: “Personally, two moments stand out that I still remember vividly: the men’s singles finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. Lin Dan displayed two different styles in those finals and ultimately won the gold medals. He is a true legend of our sport.”
Král: “I have always been a fan of the opening ceremonies. It’s a fantastic show. I can’t wait to experience it in person.”
Q: You’re placed in a very strong group, having only faced the Popov brothers once before. How do you plan to prepare for this tough group stage?
Mendrek: “As I mentioned earlier, we are honored to be among the top 17 pairs at the Olympics. We also know that winning the group stage matches will be very difficult for us. Personally, I am very much looking forward to playing against the world champion Korean pair Kang Min-hyuk/Seo Seung-jae and the Popov brothers. We had a great, intense training camp with them in France.”
Král: “We will prepare for each match with our coach as usual. I am very excited about all the matches.”
Jenjira Stadelmann (Switzerland)
Q: This is your first Olympics. What aspects of the competition are you most looking forward to?
“I’m looking forward to the experience of playing on a court with the Olympic logo. The Olympics is such a grand event; it’s undoubtedly a dream for every athlete, and I’m no exception!”
Q: How do you balance the goal of qualifying for the Olympics and performing well at the Olympics?
“Participating in the Olympics makes me very proud; however, performing at my best badminton level is also important to me. I want to win a match… or two?”
Q: From a spectator’s perspective, what is your most memorable Olympic moment?
“When I was 13, I watched the match between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei at the 2012 London Olympics. Seeing two legends compete was a wonderful moment for me as a young player.”
Q: You will face other strong European women like Carolina Marín and Rachel Darragh in your group.
“I will focus on myself, which means performing at my level. Considering my achievements at the European Games, I know anything is possible.”
