Olympic gold medalists Wang Chi-lin and Lee Yang returned home on Wednesday to an adoring crowd. Speaking to press, the duo shared what it felt like at the ceremony where they received Taiwan’s first Olympic gold in badminton. They also tackled a question on the disparity in their prize earnings, a difference of more than NT$3 million.
Taiwan’s golden badminton duo is back after their triumph in Tokyo. Speaking to media, the two shared what they were thinking during the Olympic medal ceremony.
Wang Chi-lin
Badminton gold medalist
I looked at him and I was thinking, “Are we supposed to get on when they call our names?” Then when we were on the podium, I just couldn’t believe it.
Lee Yang
Badminton gold medalist
I told Chi-lin, “Is this really us?” It felt surreal. We really did this!
Their Olympic victory came just two weeks before Lee’s 26th birthday. Wang joked that the medal was his own little birthday gift to Lee.
Wang Chi-lin
Badminton gold medalist
At the beginning of the year, when we won the Yonex Thailand Open, it was around the time of my birthday. So our gold medal there was a fantastic birthday gift from Lee Yang. Before we set off for Tokyo, I knew that his birthday was coming up. I wanted to give him something just as valuable. I’m very happy I managed it.
The duo’s gold medal comes with a cash prize of NT$20 million each from Taiwan’s central government. As a Kinmen resident, Lee will be getting an additional NT$4.725 million from the Kinmen government. Wang, whose household registration is in Taipei, will be getting an additional NT$1.528 million from the Taipei City government. It’s a big difference in cash winnings, but Wang says he’s not in it for the money.
Wang Chi-lin
Badminton gold medalist
I don’t want to get too caught up on that. If I start thinking about playing for the medal or for the prize money… I think I’d be putting more pressure on myself.
Lee Yang
Badminton gold medalist
My home county, Kinmen, offers a bigger payout. Of course I hope to make use of this prize money. I already have a fund set up for giving back to Kinmen. I hope I’ll be able to help more athletes there.
Social media influencer Chen Yen-chang says that as a graduate of Wang’s alma mater, he wants to give Wang a bonus to make up for the difference in prize money.
Chen Yen-chang
486 Founder
These two good partners, these good friends have managed to get gold. We wouldn’t want prize money to put a rift between them. So I want to provide a sponsorship, a red envelope to Wang from an older alumnus to an exemplary younger one.
He says he’ll be in touch with his fellow alumnus soon, to ensure that Wang enjoys a fair share of the fruits of victory.