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May 8, 2010

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HomeSportsBadminton

Flu fears confine Chinese to barracks

CHINA'S badminton chiefs have banned their shuttlers from sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to safeguard them from the H1N1 virus ahead of next week's Thomas & Uber Cups.

The Chinese men's and women's teams are strong favorites to retain their prestigious titles on May 16 and head coach Li Yongbo told reporters the players had been told to stay safely locked up unless they are playing or training.

"The players have been told to stay in their rooms. They are only allowed to go to the training venue and to the Putra Stadium," Li said.

"We have brought our own medical team with us and are taking all sorts of precautions to ensure none of us catch the virus."

Two of Malaysia's coaches -- Misbun and Rashid Sidek -- were both treated for the H1N1 virus but have since been given a clean bill of health.

China boasts world and Olympic champion Lin Dan as its top singles player in the men's Thomas Cup and he will be joined by Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai and Chen Long. For the doubles, it has named former world number ones Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng, Guo Zhengdong-Xu Chen and Chai Biao-Zhang Nan.

The Chinese women's team features world No. 1 Wang Yihan, No. 2 Wang Xin and fourth-ranked Wang Shixian.

"We came here prepared to retain both Cups and that is just what we intend to do," said coach Li.

"I'm confident the teams have it in them to face all comers. We should be standing tall on May 16."

 

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