Lee Zii Jia off to victorious start at Paris 2024 Olympics

Lee Zii Jia is trying to take it easy.

Malaysia's superstar got his Paris 2024 Olympic campaign off to a winning start on Sunday (28 July) as the men’s singles No. 7 shuttler produced a clinical 21-14, 21-12 victory over Viren Nettasinghe.

Before another capacity crowd at Porte de La Chapelle Arena - the rafters were full from the first match in the morning - the pride of Malaysia never let his Sri Lankan opponent in the match to collect his first victory of these Games.

“I was happy to win my first game in the Paris Olympics and it's a good opening for me and hopefully it will get more better and better,” Lee told Olympics.com.

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Lee made relative quick work of Nettasinghe in 35 minutes to win the Group G affair and will have ample recovery time with his next match not until Wednesday against Spain’s Pablo Abian.

Many players who have gotten things under way here have mentioned the decibel level of the crowd - not to mention the existence of one, unlike Tokyo 2020 - as a factor on the court.

While noting the need to adjust, Lee for one appears to be taking his second Olympic Games all in stride.

“I mean the difference between Tokyo and Paris is the crowd, the audience and I can feel the vibe here. The environment here is very good and I think every day it's full of audience, full of crowd. It's a good sign for our sports as well.

“The crowd here was making quite a big noise as well. Sometimes I can't hear what the referee is saying as well. So it's kind of different to what I’ve been through. I think we have to adapt to that situation.”

In Tokyo three years ago, the 2021 All England champion went out in the round of 16, where he was bounced by former Olympic champion Chen Long in three games.

Since then, the 26-year-old Lee’s career has vacillated like a rollercoaster, unable to fully tap into his tantalising potential. He even admitted to a need to take a step away from the game at one point.

And the Sigmund Freud battle appears to be a focus of his at these Games as the gentle giant guns for the podium.

“Everyone dreams to be in the Olympics,” Lee said. “Everyone dreams to be on the podium of the Olympics.

“So I think for now I just try to calm down myself and don't put too much pressure or nervousness to myself. We are here for the Olympics Games so I'm preparing 100 percent now for this Olympics.

“As you can see, I've been through so much in these few years and of course I got experience once in Tokyo as well. Coming to this Olympics, I think the mental aspect is the priority.”