National coach Jesper Hovgaard has not changed his mind about the selection of Mia Blichfeldt for the Olympics despite the injury problem
Mia Blichfeldt has been selected for the Olympics for Denmark, even though she is not the best placed on the ranking list. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix
A historic decision was made when Mia Blichfeldt was selected for the Olympics in May and thus took Denmark’s only place in women’s singles.
It was the first time that Badminton Denmark failed to select the best placed on the ranking list, which was and is Line Kjærsfeldt.
Blichfeldt has tried to stay out of the controversial decision.
– It’s not really my business. It is a matter between Line and the union. It is the coaches’ decision.
– I think it has been well received in the media both after the selection, but certainly also before. I have tried to shield myself from that part for a long period, because it is just disturbing, she explains.
Seven places after Kjærsfeldt
Mia Blichfeldt has recently suffered from a cartilage injury in one knee, and while it is clearly improving, an overuse injury has occurred in the other.
For the same reason, she has not played tournaments since the beginning of April, and in the latest world rankings she is seven places behind Kjærsfeldt.
However, it does not change the view of the selection for national coach Jesper Hovgaard, who is responsible for Mia Blichfeldt for the tournaments.
– Of course, it’s annoying with the injury that’s there now, and which means she can’t play right now. But it’s not like I leave thinking it was the wrong decision, he says.
‘They go to it’
Mia Blichfeldt and Line Kjærsfeldt, together with the other players on the national team, have their daily routine in Brøndby Hallen, where they train together and push each other to the limit.
Despite Line Kjærsfeldt’s great disappointment at the lack of selection, relations have not changed.
– For my part, I think that everything is as usual. People go to it, and I think there is a good atmosphere. There is nothing there.
– We have trained together for many years and know each other well. We know how to be here in this environment, where we are professionals and colleagues, says 26-year-old Blichfeldt.
The badminton tournament at the Summer Games begins on 27 July.
2024-06-29 09:55:42
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