Described as the most decorated badminton player China's "Super Dan" is gunning for Olympic history – to win the men's singles gold for an unprecedented third successive time – at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Lin Dan became the first man to retain the Olympic gold at the 2012 London Olympics after winning it for the first time in Beijing in 2008.
On both occasions Lin Dan defeated Malaysian hope Lee Chong Wei in the final. In London he defeated Chong Wei in a three-set thriller – coming back from a set down to prevail 15-21, 21-10, 21-19.
Lin Dan's victory paved the way for to make an unprecedented clean sweep of the five titles at stake.
China's other gold medal winners in London were Hu Haifeng-Cai Yun in the men's doubles, Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei in the mixed doubles gold while Li Xuerui took the gold in women's singles. The women's doubles gold was won by Tian Qiang-Zhao Yunlei.
Lin Dan begins his journey to retain his gold when he plays Austria's David Obernosterer in his opening Group E match.
Despite being the defending champion Lin Dan is seeded only third in the men's singles – behind top seed Chong Wei. Another Chinese Chen Long is seeded second.
Lin Dan is highly touted for the gold in Rio. He has, apart from the Olympics, has won the World Cup, World Championships, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Masters Finals, Asian Games and Asian Championships, All-England – the only player to achieve this.
For the record China have the most representatives in badminton – 15 players in all.
