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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
Sport
Paul Myers

Viktory! Axelsen enters legend with consecutive badminton golds for Denmark

Viktor Axelsen from Denmark became only the second man to retain his Olympic singles title after his victory in the final over Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn. AP - Kin Cheung

Before the final, the Danes - identifiable by the red shirts, red and white flags and hats with horns on either side - were dancing along to the disco groove pumping out from the weapons-grade public address system at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena on the northern tip of Paris.

After the showdown between their own Viktor Axelsen and Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, they were stomping anew in exultation at the country's first gold medal of the Paris Games and Axelsen's accession into Olympic legend.

The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist joined China's Lin Dan as the only other man to win consecutive Olympic crowns.

And he did it with some panache taking 52 minutes to dispatch 23-year-old Vitidsarn 21-11, 21-11.

"Axelsen kicked his ass," said Jan Leschly, Danish-born but clearly Americanised after moving to the United States 45 years ago.

"It was amazing," added the 83-year-old who was over from San Francisco with his son, Mark and grandson, Bo.

The troika were part of the Danish din among the 8,000 fans cheering and chanting: "Viktor! Viktor! as the 30-year-old moved inexorably towards nominative determinism.

Change

As waves of red gathered in phalanxes preparing to move southwards to continue the festivities after the "viktory", the three joyously admitted turning coats on Sunday to bellow for the Stars and Stripes of the American flag during the women's cycling road race through the city centre and at the Stade de France where their compatriots Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley finished first and third respectively in the men's 100m final.

"Oh we were definitely American last night," smiled Mark.

Mark Leschly (left) attended the badminton men's singles final with his son Bo (centre) and father Jan. © RFI/Paul Myers

Before heading to Denmark and back to the States, a trip to the equestrian events at Versailles and another session at Stade de France were on the cards.

"No rain, not many cars around and the metro working well, it's been great," added Jan.

Plans

As the family Leschley fulfil their busy itinerary, the hero of the day, said he planned some time with his kith and kin to savour the moment.

"Winning the first gold in Tokyo was a little bit of a strange feeling because there weren't that many people because of the Covid restrictions," said Axelsen.

"So to win here in front of so many Danish supporters and my wife, our two daughters, my family and my friends ... this second gold medal just means more than the first one," he added.

Peter Isager and Line Lyngdorf were also celebrating a second medal.

The couple, from Aarhus on Denmark's eastern coast, had been at the team dressage event on Satuday at the Chateau de Versailles to see Denmark claim silver.

Axelsen's gold had them styling themselves as lucky charms.

"You come to the badminton and see a Danish winner and hear the national anthem, it's very emotional," said Isager who hailed the country's king for attending the final.

"He is a people's king," added Lyngdorf.

Before the couple return home, they said they plan to see the athletics at the Stade de France and the canoeing on the penultimate day of competition on Saturday.

"We've been walking around in Paris too," said Isager. "It seems so calm and secure."

Place

His own place safe in badminton mythology, Axelsen was asked about his afterlife and a possible role as an ambassador following a post-match chat with the king?

The suggestion was politely rejected so too his primacy among his sport's deities.

"Lin Dan ... he's the greatest of all time," said Axelsen in a blink.

"Obviously when you look at Olympic medals, I have two golds and one bronze ... he has two golds but he still has way more All-England titles, way more world championships, Thomas Cups.

"So for me he's the greatest. I'm just very happy and proud to be on the same level in Olympic terms. In my eyes he stands as the best ever."

But for the Danes leaving the La Chapelle Arena of a balmy summer's evening, Axelsen's now in that stratosphere.

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