Lee Chong Wei

Sport: Badminton

Nation: Malaysia

DOB: October 21, 1982

Career Highlights: The world’s top-ranked player, Lee’s chances for a medal in London are very much in doubt after he suffered a torn ankle tendon at the Thomas Cup in May. He was taken off the court in tears with an injury that will sideline him for at least one month. It marks more bad news for Malaysia’s top Olympic hope after he suffered a shoulder injury and a bout with the flu earlier this year. In addition, Lee suffered a shocking loss to unseeded South Korean Shon Wan-Ho in the India Open in April and was forced to retire at the All-England championships against world champion Lin Dan. Lee suffered a difficult defeat to Lin in the final of the 2011 worlds, storming through the event without dropping a set and taking the first set from Lin before losing the next two. Lee’s Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games ended with a second-round loss before he lost in the gold-medal match to Lin at the 2008 Beijing Games. Lee and Lin have alternated being No. 1 and No. 2 in recent years, but renewing one of badminton’s premier rivalries in London now depends on Lee’s health.

Olympic History: 2008,2004