Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended his congratulations to Kunlavut “View” Vitidsarn, a Thai badminton player who won a silver medal for men’s singles badminton competition at the Paris Olympic 2024, according to Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke.
Kunlavut, 23, World No. 8, lost to World No. 2 Viktor Axelsen from Denmark 21-11, 21-11 on Monday. This is the first Olympic medal for the Thai national badminton team, and the first medal for Thailand at the Paris Olympics 2024.
The Prime Minister commended Kunlavut’s success as a result of his determination, dedication, and strict discipline.
Srettha says Kunlavut has become an inspiration to others and has boosted morale of Thai athletes in others sports who will be competing after him at the Paris Olympic 2024.
Kunlavut still has a bright future ahead of him, and called on the Thai people to continue cheering him on, said the Premier.
He also thanked concerned staffs who are behind the success.
Badminton star Kunlavut is schedule to return home from Paris on Tuesday.
Kunlavut commented after the game that coming to the Olympics for the first time and winning a medal, even if it’s not gold, was not a bad thing. From now on, he would try to go back and continue developing himself.
Kunlavit said Axelsen really played better than he did. He’s not yet at the level where he can beat the Danish player and still needs to continue learning.
Axelsen, the 30-year-old from Denmark defended his men’s singles title, became the first European to win back-to-back badminton singles gold at the Olympics.
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Vice President of the Badminton World Federation, and President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, posted a message saying that although Kunlavut lost, he has won the hearts of Thai people and fought to his fullest potential.
She said Kunlavut’s silver medal is a historic moment for Thai badminton in 32 years, after the sport was first included in the Olympics in 1992.
In addition, she said, Kunlavut would receive a reward from the government through the National Sports Development Fund, Sports Authority of Thailand (NSDF) totaling 6,000,000 baht (US$170,000) if paid in a single installment, or 7,200,000 baht (US$200,000) if divided into payments, with 50% paid upfront and the remaining 50% paid monthly over 4 years. (TNA)
