Source: EYEPRESS Images /F.L Wong
[Saba Sports News] Carolina Marin, the 2016 Olympic badminton champion and three-time World Champion, suffered her third serious knee injury during the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Recently, she opened up about her emotional journey. Marin admitted that for her now, a “gold medal” symbolizes the ability to keep playing and to continue enjoying the sport. Competing in the 2026 European Badminton Championships in her hometown of Huelva would be a monumental victory. She shared that her knee is recovering well, but conditions are different now—she doesn’t want to end up needing a prosthetic, so she listens carefully to her body. When asked about her idol, Marin mentioned Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal. She revealed that badminton lacked role models during her early years, so she deeply admired the humility of the Mallorca-born superstar. After her injury, Nadal sent her a touching voice message that moved her to tears. Looking ahead, Marin hopes to establish a badminton academy to nurture future talent.